iff 


■ 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


h 


Frontispiece.        CATHOLIC  CATHEDRAL,  ST.  AUGUSTINE. 


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NEW    YORK  : 
THE    AMERICAN    NEWS    COMPANY, 
NASSAU  STREET,  NEW  YOllK. 


1873. 


t        s  ■>    > 


>,    >     >   • 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S73,  by 

EDWARD  O.  JENKESrS, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C, 


Slfe. 


^ 


CONTENTS, 


e/» 


PAGE. 


Florida — Its  Discovery. 

7 

De  Ayllon — Narvaez — Nunez  De  Vaca. 

11 

De  Narvaez— 1528.        .... 

.       13 

Hernando  De  Soto. 

20 

Don  Tristan  De  Luna— 1559. 

.       41 

The  Huguenot  Settlements— 15(»'J 

42 

De  Gourges.                  .... 

.       52 

Florida  ;  Its  Geographj-  and  Climate,  etc. 

60 

Climate.          ..... 

.       63 

How  to  Reach  Florida.        .               .               . 

65 

Charieston      ..... 

.       69 

Objects  of  Interest. 

73 

Savannah.           ..... 

.  •    78 

Fernandina.            .                ,               .               .     • 

85 

St.  John's  River.           .... 

.       86 

Jacksonville.         .... 

87 

St.  Jolin's  River.           .... 

.       90 

Mandarin.              .... 

91 

Hibernia.        ..... 

.       93 

Magnolia.               .... 

93 

Green  Cove  Springs     .... 

.       92 

Picolata.                 .... 

93 

Tocoi.             ..... 

.       94 

Orange  Mills.         .... 

94 

Palatka.          ..... 

.       94 

Enterprise.             .... 

97 

Mellonville.    ..... 

.       99 

Sanford.                 .... 

100 

8t.  Augustine.               .... 

.     10:3 

OckJawaha  River,         .... 

.      Ufa 

45(iG?iI 


GUIDE    TO    FLORIDA. 


FLORIDA — ITS   DISCOVERY. 

Had  Christopher  Columbus,  on  leaving  the 
Island  of  San  Salvador,  proceeded  Westward, 
he  would  have  ultimately  discovered  the 
coast  of  Florida ;  for  the  Gulf  Stream,  then  an 
unknown  power,  would  have  swept  him  to 
the  Northward — the  difference  of  Latitude  re- 
quired for  the  purpose.  But,  influenced  by 
the  description  of  the  natives,  of  a  land  of 
wealth  bearing  to  the  southward,  he  directed 
his  prow  thither,  and  brought  up  on  the  coast 
Cuba.  Thus  was  reserved  to  one  of  Colum- 
bus' companions,  (Juan  Ponce  de  Leon,)  the 
honor  of  the  discovery  of  the  peninsula ;  a 
most  romantic  incident  of  History. 

In    1 5 12,  the  brave  old  soldier,   Ponce  de 

(7) 


8  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

Leon,  was  Governor  of  Porto  Rico.  He  had 
carved  his  way  to  glory  and  wealth,  but  never- 
theless aspired  to  equal  Columbus  in  renown, 
and  for  that  purpose  fitted  out  an  expedition. 

It  was  whilst  discussing  the  subject  with 
his  followers,  and  arguing  as  to  the  course  to 
be  pursued,  that  an  Indian  Cacique  narrated 
to  them  a  wonderful  story;  that,  not  many 
leagues  away,  towards  the  setting  sun,  there 
existed  a  land  of  great  riches,  and  exceeding 
all  others  in  beauty  of  scenery.  But,  what 
was  most  extraordinary,  it  possessed  a  mar- 
vellous fountain,  whose  waters  had  the  power 
to  renew  youth  and  give  vigor  to  those  who 
bathed  in  or  drank  them. 

Ponce  de  Leon  had  witnessed  such  wonder- 
ful things  in  his  several  voyages,  that  he  was 
prepared  to  give  credence  to  the  most  exager- 
ated  accounts. 

"  What  if  it  should  prove  true?"  soliloquized 
the  old  warrior,  as  he  listened  to  the  inter- 
preter. 

"And  why  should  it  not  be  ?  Have  I  not 
already  discovered  marvels,  which  in  my 
youthful  days  I  would  have  deemed  impossible 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  g 

as  this?  Ponce  de  Leon  will,  in  giving  to  the 
world  a  rejuvenating-  fountain,  be  entitled  to 
greater  renown  than  those  who  merely  gave 
wealth  and  continents  to  their  sovereio;ns." 

An  expedition  of  three  vessels  was  imme- 
diatel}'  fitted  out  and  set  sail  from  St.  Germain, 
Porto  Rico,  in  March  15 12.  Ponce  de  Leon 
directed  its  course  to  the  Bahamas.  He  vis- 
ited the  various  localities  where  the  fountain 
might  be,  but  his  search  proved  fruitless. 
Island  after  island  was  explored,  and  the 
waters  tasted  and  bathed  in,  yet  the  desired 
effect  was  not  produced.  Nothing  daunted, 
the  brave  soldier  steered  to  the  Westward  ; 
and,  on  Palm  Sunday,  the  Pascua  Florida  of 
the  Spaniards,  (27th  March,  15 12)  he  dis- 
covered land  ahead — a  land  of  such  mao-nifi- 
cent  vegetation  and  variety  of  flowers,  that 
he  gave  to  it  the  name  it  continues  to  bear — 
Florida. 

On  April  2,  15 12,  Ponce  de  Leon  disem- 
barked a  little  to  the  northward  of  St.  Auffus- 
tine,  planted  a  cross,  and  took  possession  of 
the  country  in  the  name  of  his  sovereign.    He 

then  turned  his  attention  to  the  search  for  the 
I* 


lO  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

"Fountain  of  Youth;"  and,  in  its  absence, 
gold  and  precious  stones.  He  found  neither, 
and  two  months  later  returned  to  Porto  Rico. 

In  spite  of  his  want  of  success,  De  Leon 
made  a  brilliant  report  of  the  value  of  his 
discovery,  and  was  rewarded  by  the  Crown 
with  the  title  of  Adelentado,  or  Governor  of 
Florida ;  in  return  for  which  he  agreed  to 
conquer  and  colonize  it.  This,  however,  he 
did  not  appear  in  any  particular  hurry  to  do; 
as  it  was  not  until  nearly  ten  j^eare  later  that 
he  again  set  out  for  the  peninsula. 

In  the  meantime,  several  explorers  had  vis- 
ited its  shores  and  described  it  as  a  vast  con- 
tinent, and  not  an  Island  as  he  supposed  it  to 
be.  At  this  time,  Cortez  was  in  Mexico  ;  and 
the  reports  of  his  conquests  and  spoils  incited 
Ponce  de  Leon  to  put  on  foot  a  second  expe- 
dition, in  the  hope  of  meeting  with  a  like  suc- 
cess. He  sailed,  therefore,  with  two  vessels ; 
but  no  sooner  had  he  landed  in  Florida,  than 
he  was  attacked  by  the  natives  with  such 
fierceness  that,  after  a  severe  conflict,  the 
Spaniards  were  compelled  to  re-embark  and 
return   to  Cuba.     Ponce    himself  received    a 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  n 

wound,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died,  soon 
after  reaching-  the  Island.  His  epitaph  was  : 
"  In  this  sepulchre  rest  the  bones  of  a  man 
who  was  a  Lion  by  name,  and  still  more 
by  nature." 


DE  AYLLON — NARVAEZ — NUNEZ  DE  VACA. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  Ponce  de  Leon, 
Diego  Miruelo,  the  captain  of  a  small  Span- 
ish vessel,  being  driven  by  stress  of  weather 
to  the  coast  of  Florida,  received  from  the  na- 
tives,in  traffic,  a  quantity  of  gold  and  silver. 
With  these  he  returned  to  St.  Domingo  ;  and 
the  accounts  he  gave  of  the  country  he  had 
visited  caused  much  excitement  on  the  Island. 
At  that  time  there  was,  in  St.  Domingo,  a 
company  engaged  in  gold  mining,  at  whose 
head  was  a  distinguished  vounsr  nobleman 
named  Lucas  Vasquez  de  Ayllon.  This  gen- 
tleman, as  will  be  seen,  was  possessed  of 
keenness  and  a  daring  spirit. 

De  Ayllon,  fearing,  no  doubt,  his  annual 
statement  for  tiie  year  1521,  would  make  but 
a  sorry  figure,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  labor 


12  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

on  the  Island,  determined  to  visit  the  main- 
land, and  secure  a  couple  of  cargoes  of  the 
savages  so  plausibly  described  by  Miruelo. 

Now,  owing  to  the  efforts  of  Las  Casas,  the 
Spanish  crown  had  prohibited  the  enslaving 
of  the  natives  of  the  New  World.  This  pro- 
hibition, however,  did  not  include  the  Caribs, 
who  were  said  to  be  cannibals.  De  Ayllon, 
consequently,  gave  out  that  the  two  vessels 
he  was  fitting  out  were  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  Caribs  ;  but,  sailing  directly  to  the 
mainland,  he  was  driven  by  stress  of  weather 
and  the  unknown  currents  further  to  the 
north  than  he  anticipated,  and  caijie  to  an- 
chor on  the  coast  of  w^hat  is  now  South  Caro- 
lina, at  a  place  called  Chicora,  but  which  he 
named  St.  Helena. 

Here  the  Indians  at  first  fled  in  terror  at 
the  sight  of  ships  and  white  men,  whom  the}^ 
beheld  for  the  first  time  ;  but  the  Spaniards 
soon  quieted  their  fears  ;  and  they  returned, 
bringing  presents  of  furs,  pearls,  and  small 
quantities  of  gold  and  silver.  The  Spaniards 
gave  them  trinkets  in  return,  and  invited 
them    on  board  their  vessels,  to   which    the 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  13 

confiding  natives  repaired  in  considerable 
numbers.  Securing  them  below  the  hatches, 
the  Spaniards  weighed  anchor  and  set  sail  for 
home.  One  of  the  vessels  foundered  at  sea, 
and  of  the  poor  captives  confined  on  board  of 
the  other,  the  ancient  historian  says :  "  these 
Indians  profited  them  nothing,  for  they  all 
died  of  care  and  grief" 

De  Ayllon  shortly  afterwards  obtained  from 
his  sovereign  the  appointment  of  Governor 
of  Chicora  ;  he  fitted  out  an  expedition  of 
three  vessels  to  conquer  his  new  dominion, 
landing  near  St.  Helena.  The  inhabitants 
received  him  with  apparent  cordialit}^ ;  but, 
after  feasting  his  soldiers  for  three  days,  they 
rose  upon  them  in  the  night  and  massacred 
almost. the  entire  force  ;  including  De  Ayllon 
himself. 


DE    NARVAEZ — 1 5 28. 

The  next  expedition  to  Florida  was  con- 
ducted on  a  grander  scale ;  it  was  led  by 
Pamphilo  de  Narvaez.  De  Narvaez,  who  was 
a  distinguished  soldier,  had  been  sent  by  Ve- 


H 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


lasquez,  the  Governor  of  Cuba,  to  Mexico, 
with  nearly  two  thousand  troops  to  supersede 
Cortez,  whose  brilhant  career  had  excited 
the  jealousy  of  the  Governor.  Instead  of 
turning  over  the  command  of  his  three  hun- 
dred warriors  to  Narvaez,  Cortez,  at  night, 
fell  upon  his  rival ;  and,  after  a  short  struggle, 
in  which  Narvaez  lost  an  eye,  took  him  pris- 
oner. Then  almost  the  whole  of  the  new 
comers  went  over  to  Cortez. 

When,  subsequently,  Narvaez  proceeded  to 
Spain,  he  was  consoled  by  having  conferred 
upon  him  the  Governorship  of  Florida.  He 
immediately  fitted  out  an  expedition  of  five 
vessels;  and,  on  i^pril  12th,  1528,  landed  on 
the  west  coast  of  Florida,  near  what  is  now 
called  Tampa  Bay.  There  he  landed  three 
hundred  men  and  forty-five  horses.  Against 
the  advice  of  some  of  his  followers,  Narvaez 
determined  to  at  once  penetrate  the  country 
in  search  of  an  empire  which  should  rival 
Mexico  or  Peru.  His  companions  had  coun- 
selled their  remaining  b}^  their  ships,  and 
coasting  along  the  continent ;  but  Narvaez 
was  not  to  be  moved  ;  and,  after  instructing 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  jc 

his  captains  to  take  the  vessels  to  some  con- 
venient harbor  to  await  his  arrival,  he  started 
on  his  march,  in  a  northerly  direction. 

Instead  of  finding  the  rich  countr}^  they 
had  fancied,  the  Spaniards  could  scarcely 
scrape  the  wherewith  sufficient  to  keep  body 
and  soul  together ;  whilst  the  natives,  differing 
totally  from  those  of  jNIexico,  contested  every 
inch  of  ground,  with  a  desperation  that  dis- 
couraged and  astonished  the  Spaniards.  His- 
tory offers  few  such  records  of  suffering  as 
is  narrated  in  the  pages  which  describe  the 
march  of  Narvaez  through  Florida.  Narvaez 
found  nothing  but  swamps  and  starvation, 
with  hostile  Indians  on  every  hand.  After 
losing  a  large  number  of  his  force  by  sick- 
ness and  the  arrows  of  the  natives,  Narvaez, 
in  despaii",  called  a  council  of  his  officers. 

His  hopes  of  wealth  and  conquest  were  at 
an  end  ;•  he  sought  how  best  to  escape  from 
the  country  before  they  should  all  perish. 
Irving  says:  "To  proceed  along  the  coast  in 
search  of  the  fleet,  or  to  retrace  their  steps, 
would  be  to  hazard  the  lives  of  all.  At  length 
it  was  suggested  that  they  should  construct 


1 6  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

small  barks,  launch  them  upon  the  deep,  and 
keep  along  the  coast  until  they  should  find 
their  ships.  It  was  a  forlorn  hope,  but  they 
caught  at  it  like  drowning  men.  They  ac- 
cordingly set  to  work  with  great  eagerness; 
One  of  them  constructed  a  pair  of  bellows  out 
of  deer  skins,  furnishing  it  with  a  wooden 
pipe.  Others  made  charcoal  and  a  forge. 
By  the  aid  of  these,  they  soon  turned  their 
stirrups,  spurs,  crossbows,  and  other  articles 
of  iron,  into  nails,  saws,  and  hatchets.  The 
tails  and  manes  of  the  horses,  twisted  with 
the  fibres  of  the  palm-treee,  served  for  rig- 
ging ;  their  shirts,  cut  open  and  sewed  to- 
gether, furnished  sails  ;  the  fibrous  part  of  the 
palm-tree  also  was  used  as  oakum  ;  the  resin 
of  the  pine  trees  for  tar ;  the  skins  of  horses 
were  made  into  vessels  to  contain  fresh  water ; 
and  a  quantity  of  maize  was  secured,  after  hard 
fighting  with  the  neighboring  natives.  A 
horse  was  killed  every  three  days  for  pro- 
visions for  the  laboring  hands  and  the  sick." 

Having  at  length,  by  great  exertions,  com- 
pleted five  frail  barks,  on  the  22d  of  Septem- 
ber they  embarked  from  forty  to  fifty  persons 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.       »  j^ 

in  each ;  but  they  were  so  closely  crowded 
that  there  was  scarcely  room  to  move,  while 
the  gunwales  of  the  boats  wxre  pressed  down 
to  the  w-ater's  edge.  Setting  sail  from  this 
bay,  which  they  called  the  Ba}-  of  Caballos, 
the}'  proceeded  on,  for  several  days,  to  an  is- 
land, where  they  secured  five  canoes,  which 
had  been  deserted  by  the  Indians.  These 
having  been  attached  to  their  barks  enabled 
them  to  sail  with  greater  comfort.  They 
passed  through  the  strait  between  the  island 
and  the  mainland,  which  they  called  the  Strait 
of  San  Miguel,  and  sailed  onward,  for  many 
days  enduring  the  torments  of  hunger  and 
parching  thirst.  The  skins  which  contained 
their  fresh  water  having  burst,  several  men, 
driven  to  desperation,  drank  salt  water  and 
died  miserably.  Their  sufferings  were  aggra- 
vated b}'  a  fearful  storm. 

At  length  the}'  approached  "a  more  popu- 
lous and  fertile  part  of  the  coast,"  upon  which 
they  landed,  occasionally,  to  procure  provi- 
sions; and  were  immediately  involved  in 
bloody  affrays  wnth  the  natives.  Thus  harass- 
ed by  sea  and  land,  famishing   with   hunger, 


1 8  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

their  barks  shattered  and  scarcely  manage- 
able, these  unfortunate  wanderers  lost  all 
presence  of  mind,  and  became  wild  and  des- 
perate. They  were  again  driven  out  seaward, 
and  scattered  during  a  stormy  night. 

At  daj/break  three  of  the  tempest-tossed 
barks  rejoined  each  other.  In  the  best-man- 
ned and  fastest  sailer,  was  Pamphilo  de  Nar- 
vaez.  Alvar  Nunez,  who  had  command  of 
another  boat,  seeing  the  Adelantado  making 
for  the  land,  appealed  to  him  for  aid;  but 
Narvaez  replied,  "  that  it  was  no  longer  time 
to  help  others,  but  that  everj^  one  must  take 
care  of  himself"  He  then  steered  for  the 
land,  abandoning  Alvar  Nunez  to  his  fate. 

After  sailing  along  the  coast  for  many  da3^s, 
Narvaez  anchored  one  night  off  the  land.  His 
crew,  with  but  two  exceptions,  had  repaired 
on  shore,  in  search  of  provisions.  These  two 
were  a  sailor  and  a  page  who  were  sick.  In 
the  meantime,  a  violent  northerly  gale  sprung 
up;  and  the  boats,  in  which  was  neither  food 
nor  water,  were  driven  to  sea.  They  were 
never  heard  of  afterward,  and  thus  ended  the 
ill-fated  expedition  of  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  jg 

Narvaez  had  embarked  at  a  point  near  Ap- 
alachicola  Bay,  and  set  out  in  his  frail  vessels 
to  reach  the  Spanish  Settlements  in  Mexico, 
under  the  impression  derived  from  the  charts 
of  the   day,  that   these    were  nearer  to   him 
than  the  shores  of  Cuba.     The  truth,  however, 
was,  that  the  latter  were  scarcely  four  hun- 
dred miles  distant,  whilst  the  nearest  Spanish 
settlement  was  eleven  hundred  miles  away. 
This  error  doubtless  cost  him    his   life.      At 
the  time   of  his  death,  there  remained  alive 
about  one  hundred  of  his  followers,  but  they 
gradually  separated  ;  and,  through  hunger  and 
the  arrows  of  the  natives,  were  i-educed  to  four 
persons— Cabega  de  Vaca,  Treasurer;    Cap- 
tain Alonzo  Castillo  ;  Captain  Andreas  Doran- 
tes;   and    Estevanico,  an  Arabian   Nesfro  or 
Moor.    These  owed  their  safety  to  their  being 
considered   by  the  Indians    great    medicine- 
men.     De    Vaca,    according   to   an    account 
which  he  published  on  reaching  Spain,  had 
performed  some  remarkable  cures,  which  he 
acknovv^l edged  surprised  himself. 

Having  spent   six  years  with  the  tribe  lie 
designates  as  the  Mariannes,  De  Vaca  and  his 


20  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

three  companions,  by  that  time  fully  conver- 
sant with  the  language  and  customs  of  the  In- 
dians, set  forth  to  attempt  the  task  of  reaching 
the  Settlements  in  Mexico.  Their  experience  in 
the  healing  art  did  them  good  service,  for  by 
it  they  were  enabled  to  pass  through  the  many 
tribes  who  occupied  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  They  crossed  the  Mississippi,  and  at 
length  reached,  in  safety,  Mexico,  from  whence 
he  returned  to  Spain,  where  he  published  the 
interesting  account  of  his  adventures.  De 
Vaca  was  the  first  white  man  who  traversed 
the  Cotton  States  ;  and  to  him  belongs  the 
credit  of  the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
not  to  De  Soto.  Narvaez's  fleet  searched  for 
the  Governor  during  the  space  of  a  year,  and 
then  returned  to  Cuba, 


HERNANDO   DE   SOTO. 

One  would  have  thought  that  the  sad  fate 
of  Narvaez  would  have  deterred  further  ex- 
peditions to  Florida ;  but  such  was  not  the 
case,  and  the  story  of  the  adventures  of  De 
Vaca,   fraught  with   sufferings,    seemed    only 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  21 

to  Stimulate  the  adventurous  spirit  of  the  dav. 
It  was  not  the  aspiration  to  glor^^,  but  the 
greediness  of  wealth  which  inspired  those  ad- 
venturers. They  believed  in  a  continent  ex- 
ceeding Mexico  or  Peru  in  precious  metals, 
and  therefore  sought  it.  When  Hernando  de 
Soto,  the  companion  of  Pizan-o,  announced  his 
intention  of  fitting  out  an  expedition,  thou- 
sands flocked  to  his  standard. 

Hernando  de  Soto  belonged  to  oi>e  of  the 
noblest  families  of  Spain  ;  he  was  boi-n  in  1501. 
At  an  early  age,  having,  as  an  old  Chronicler 
says,  but  his  sword  for  his  estate,  he  joined 
D'Avilas,  who  had  been  made  Governor  of 
the  West  Indies.  De  Soto  found  favor  in  the 
eyes  of  the  latter,  and,  in  1531,  was  given  com- 
mand of  a  body  of  men,  with  whom  he  joined 
Pizarro,  then  on  his  way  to  the  conquest  of 
Peru.  Pizarro  soon  recognized  in  De  Soto  a 
leading  spirit ;  he  made  him  second  in  com- 
mand. Uniting  prudence  to  valor  he  was  ever 
foremost  in  every  struggle,  and  invariably 
victorious. 

De  Soto  had  the  good  fortune  to  capture  the 
Inca,  am]  to  put  to  flight  his  forces.     The  con- 


22  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

quest  of  Peru  achieved,  Pizarro  would  have 
retained  De  Soto  with  him,  but  the  latter  de- 
termined to  return  to  Spain.  This  he  did  in 
1536,  carrying  with  him,  as  his  share  of  the 
spoils  of  the  Inca,  180,000  crowns  of  gold.  He 
appeared  at  the  court  of  Charles  V.,  sur- 
rounded by  a  splendid  retinue,  creating  a 
sensation  which  made  him  the  lion  of  the 
hour.  His  influence  at  court  increased,  and 
vras  strengthened  by  his  marriage  with  Isa- 
bella de  Bobadilla,  daughter  of  De  Aviles,  one 
of  the  most  powerful  families  of  the  kingdom. 
It  was  about  that  time  that  De  Vaca 
brought  to  Spain  the  tidings  of  the  fate  of 
Narvaez.  De  Soto  sought  De  Vaca ;  and, 
after  listening  to  his  narrative,  hastened  to  the 
Emperor,  and  offered  to  conquer  Florida  at 
his  own  expense.  His  Majesty  was  gracious- 
ly pleased  to  grant  the  request,  and  conferred 
upon  him  the  title  of  Adelantado,  in  addition 
to  that  of  Governor  of  Florida  and  Cuba  for 
life.  As  we  have  already  said,  no  sooner  was 
it  known  that  De  Soto  was  fitting  out  an  ex- 
pedition, than  thousands  flocked  to  his  stan- 
dard ;  but  he  chose  only  the  young  and  vig- 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  23 

orous,  such    as    could  best  endure  the  hard- 
ships and  dangers  of  the  expedition. 

On  April  6,  1538,  De  Soto  sailed  with  a 
fleet  of  ten  vessels.  His  force  consisted  of  a 
thousand  men,  commanded  by  the  6lite  of  the 
Spanish  cavaHers.  In  the  largest  vessel,  the 
''  San  Cristoval,"  a  ship  of  eight  hundred 
tons,  was  the  Governor,  his  wife  Doiia  Isa- 
bel, and  his  family  and  retinue.  The  fleet 
touched  the  Canary  Islands  and  reached  San- 
tiago de  Cuba  in  May. 

De  Soto  remained  in  Cuba  a  yeai",  acclimat- 
ing his  forces  and  obtaining  information  as  to 
the  Continent  he  was  about  to  visit.  Indian 
guides  from  the  Florida  Coast  were  obtained, 
and  every  precaution  taken  to  ensure  the  suc- 
cess of  the  enterprise.  All  being  in  readi- 
ness, the  expedition  started  in  May,  1539; 
and,  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month,  disem- 
barked its  thousand  men  and  350  horses  at 
Tampa  Bay.  De  Soto  remained  awhile  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  landing,  endeavoring  to 
conciliate  Hirrituqua,  the  powerful  Cacique 
of  the  neighborhood.  His  efforts  proved 
vain— the  Chief  was  obdurate.     This  can  be 


24 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


readily  understood  when  we  know  that  Nar- 
vaez,  in  a  transport  of  rage,  for  a  trivial 
caase,  had  ordered  the  Cacique's  nose  to  be 
cut  off  and  his  mother  to  be  torn  by  dogs. 

Whilst  attempting  to  negotiate  with  the 
Chief,  De  Soto  learned  that  a  follower  of 
Narvaez  was  living  with  a  neighboring  tribe, 
whose  chief  was  named  Mucoso.  He  was 
greatly  pleased  with  the  news,  as  he  fully 
appreciated  the  importance  to  the  expedition 
of  having  as  guide  one  who  had  been  living 
m  the  country  ten  years,  and  who  was  doubt- 
less familiar  with  the  language  and  customs 
of  the  natives.  De  Soto  at  once  set  about 
securing  the  person  of  Juan  Ortiz — such  was 
the  Spaniard's  name ;  he  accordingly  des- 
patched his  trusty  lieutenant,  De  Gallegos, 
with  a  company  of  lancers,  under  the  guid- 
ance of  an  Indian,  on  an  embassy  to  the 
Cacique  Mucoso,  soliciting  the  release  of 
Ortiz,  and  inviting  the  Chief  to  his  camp, 
with  promises  of  friendship  and  munificent 
rewards. 

In  the  meantime,  Mucoso,  learning  of  De 
Soto's  arrival   in    the    neighboring   province 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  2$ 

and  fearing  that  it  was  his  intention  to  con- 
quer the  whole  country,  despatched  Ortiz  on 
a  mission  to  the  Governor  to  pray  De  Soto 
not  to  lay  waste  his  whole  territory,  and  that 
in  return  he  and  his  people  would  be  devoted 
to  his  service.  Ortiz,  highly  pleased  with  his 
mission,  set  out,  accompanied  by  a  body  of 
chosen  warriors.  They  had  proceeded  but  a 
short  distance,  wdien,  at  the  edge  of  a  forest, 
they  suddenly  came  upon  Gallegos  and  his 
lancers — the  companions  of  Ortiz  retreating 
to  the  woods  ;  but  Ortiz,  forgetting  that,  with 
quiver  at  back,  a  bow  and  arrow  in  hand,  and 
his  head  adorned  with  feathers,  he  differed 
but  little  from  his  companions,  scorned  the 
advice,  and  marched  forth  to  meet  his  country- 
men, who,  he  thought,  would  recognize  him. 
The  Spaniards,  seeing  the  Indians,  at  once 
charged  upon  them,  driving  them  to  the 
woods,  leaving  one  dead  upon  the  field. 
Ortiz  was  nearly  ridden  over  by  a  trooper — 
he  cried  out  lustily,  "  Seville,"  at  the  same 
time  making  the  sign  of  the  cross.  The 
Spaniard  reined  in  his  horse,  and  learning  he 
had  found  the  object  of  their  search,  seized 
2 


26  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

Ortiz  by  the  arm,  lifting  him  upon  the  croup 
of  his  saddle,  and  dashed  off  with  him  to 
Gallegos,  who  returned  to  De  Soto  in  great 
glee  with  his  prize.  The  Governor  received 
Ortiz  in  the  warmest  manner,  sympathized 
with  his  past  sufferings,  and  at  once  ordered 
him  arms,  clothing,  and  a  horse. 

Ortiz  narrated  his  experience  to  De  Soto  ;  it 
was  most  romantic.  It  appeared  that  Nar- 
vaez,  upon  landing  in  Florida,  sent  back  to 
Cuba,  with  despatches,  one  of  his  smallest  ves- 
sels, upon  which  was  Juan  Ortiz — she  imme- 
diately returned  laden  with  supplies  for  the 
forces  ;  but  by  that  time  Narvaez  had  marched 
into  the  interior.  The  Spaniards,  from  their 
vessel,  saw  on  shore  some  Indians,  who  pointed 
to  a  letter  in  the  end  of  a  cleft  stick  fixed  in 
the  earth.  Believing  it  to  contain  instructions 
from  Narvaez,  they  made  signs  to  the  Indians 
to  bring  it  to  them,  but  this  they  declined 
to  do. 

Juan  Ortiz  and  three  companions  then  went 
to  the  shore  in  a  boat;  but  were  no  sooner 
landed  than  they  were  in  a  moment  surround- 
ed and  hastened  awav.     The  crew  of  the  ves- 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  27 

sel,  alarmed   at  the  treatment  of  their  ship- 
mates, and  the  number  of  the  enemy  in  si^J-ht. 
set  sail,  leaving-  Ortiz  and  his  companions  to 
their  fate.     By  this  decoy,  the  Indians  secured 
the  captives  required  to  gratify  the  Cacique's 
revenge  upon  the  Spaniards,  for  Hirritriqua 
was  smarting  under  the  loss  of  his  nose,  and  was 
overjoj^ed  when  the  prisoners  were  brought 
before  him.     They  were  placed  under  a  strong 
guard  until  a  festival  da}^  when  one  by  one 
the}'   were  made  to  run  the  gauntlet,  and  in 
this   way  three  of  them   perished  miserably. 
Ortiz  had  been  reserved  for  the  last ;  and  the 
chief,  to  vary  the  entertainment,  ordered  him 
to  be  bound  to  a  staging  of  poles,  and  a  fire 
kindled  under  him.     The  first  part  of  the  order 
had  been  executed  ;  and  Ortiz,  who  was  then 
but  eighteen,  was  stripped  and  bound  to  the 
stake.     At  that  moment,  the  beautiful  daugh- 
ter of  the  Cacique,  who  was  about  the  same 
age  as   Ortiz,  saw  the   dreadful   fate  of  the 
youth  ;  she  was  moved  by  compassion ;  and, 
throwing  herself  at  her  father's  feet,  begged 
him  to  spare  the  stranger's  life.     Hirritriqua 
granted     her     request;      and     tiius     Florida 


28  GUIDE   TO. FLORIDA. 

possessed  a  Pocahontas  long  before  Capt. 
John  Smith  owed  his  life  to  that  renowned 
maiden. 

But  Ortiz  led  a  sorry  life  of  it ;  he  was  made 
to  labor  like  a  slave,  and  was  subjected  to 
cruel  treatment.  He  would  have  perished 
trom  starvation,  had  it  not  been  for  food  fur- 
nished him  by  his  lovel}^  protector.  One  night 
the  Cacique's  daughter  came  to  Ortiz,  and 
told  him  that  her  father  had  determined  to 
sacrifice  him  at  the  approaching  festival ;  and 
that  all  her  entreaties  had  failed  to  shake  his 
determination.  She  added  that  a  trusty  guide 
would,  that  night,  lead  him  to  Mucozo,  a 
neighboring  chief,  who  loved  her  and  sought 
her  in  marriage  ;  and  who,  for  her  sake,  would 
protect  him. 

At  the  appointed  time,  Ortiz  met  the  guide, 
and  w\Ts  safely  conducted  to  Mucozo,  who  re- 
ceived him  warmly,  and  finally  became  greatly 
attached  to  him.  His  hospitable  reception 
displeased  Hirritriqua,  wdio  made  repeated 
demands  on  Mucozo  to  give  up  the  fugitive. 
The  latter,  nevertheless,  maintained  inviolate 
the  sacred  rites  of  hospitality,  notwithstanding 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  20 

that  the  hand  of  the  lovely  maiden  depended 
on  his  acquiescing'. 

Ortiz  had  been  among  the  Indians  nearly 
ten  years,  when  De  Soto  made  his  appear- 
ance ;  and,  as  it  may  well  be  supposed,  he  was 
overjoyed  to  rejoin  his  countrymen.  His  first 
act  was  to  bring  about  friendly  relations  be- 
tween De  Soto  and  his  noble  protector,  Mu- 
cozo.  In  this  he  succeeded  so  well,  that  whilst 
the  Spaniards  remained  in  that  part  of  the 
country,  the}^  were  the  best  of  friends.  When, 
subsequently,  the  fleet  sailed  from  the  neigh- 
boring harbor,  many  things  with  which  the 
Spaniards  did  not  wish  to  be  encumbered 
were  presented  to  Mucozo,  who  found  him- 
self abundantly  provided  for.  It  took  many 
days  for  the  Indians  to  carry  to  their  villages, 
the  clothing,  weapons,  and  various  stores 
which  the  Spaniards  had  given  them. 

De  Soto,  as  we  have  already  stated,  landed 
in  Florida  at  Tampa  Bay.  From  that  point 
he  took  his  route  to  the  north  and  east,  pass- 
ing through  Ocala  and  Tallahassee,  from 
whence  he  despatched  an  exploring  parly, 
which  penetrated  far  into  the  interior.     Hav- 


30  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

ing  received  a  favorable  report  as  to  the  rich- 
ness of  the  country  to  the  north,  he  pushed 
forward  in  that  direction,  having-  first  sent 
orders  to  his  fleet  to  meet  him  at  Pensacola 
Bay.  De  Soto  crossed  the  Savannah  river, 
near  the  present  site  of  the  City  of  Savannah  ; 
and  entered  what  is  now  the  State  of  South 
Carolina.  There  a  pleasing  incident  occurred, 
which  we  can  do  no  better  than  relate  in 
the  words  of  Fairbanks,  in  his  "  Histoiy  of 
Florida:" 

"Near  the  Atlantic  coast,  in  South  Caroli- 
na, De  Soto  came  into  the  territories  of  an 
Indian  Queen,  invested  with  youth,  beauty, 
and  loveliness,  who  is  styled  b}^  the  old 
Chronicles  '  the  Ladie  of  the  Countrie.'  Upon 
De  Soto's  approach,  he  was  met  by  a  lady 
ambassadress,  sister  of  her  Majest}^  who  de- 
livered a  courteous  speech  of  welcome ;  and, 
within  a  little  time,  the  Ladie  came  out  of  the 
town  in  a  chaire,  whereon  certain  of  the  prin- 
cipal Indians  brought  her  to  the  river.  She 
entered  into  a  barge,  which  had  the  sterne 
tilted  over,  and  on  the  floor  her  mat  ready 
laid,    with   two   cushions    upon   it,   one   upon 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  3 1 

another,  where  she  sat  her  down,  and  with  her 
came  her  principal  Indians,  in  other  barges, 
which  did  wait  upon  her, 

"  She  went  to  the  place  where  the  Governor 
was,  and  at  her  coming,  she  made  this  speech  : 
*  Excellent  lord,  I  wish  this  coming  of  your 
lordship's  into  these  your  countries  to  be 
most  happy;  although  my  power  be  not 
answerable  to  my  will,  and  my  services  be 
not  according  to  m}-  desire,  nor  such  as  so 
high  a  pi-ince  as  your  lordship  deserveth,  yet 
such  the  good  will  is  rather  to  be  accepted 
than  all  the  treasures  of  the  world,  that  with- 
out it  can  be  offered ;  with  most  unfailable 
and  manifest  affection,  I  offer  you  my  person, 
lords,  and  subjects,  and  this  small  service.' 

"After  this  courteous  and  graceful  speech 
from  the  throne,  it  may  be  inferred  that  so 
gallant  a  cavalier  as  De  Soto  must  have  re- 
plied in  equally  complimentary  style.  The 
princess  caused  to  be  presented  to  the  Ade- 
iantado  rich  presents  of  the  clothes  and  skins 
of  the  country  ;  and,  far  greater  attraction  for 
them,  beautiful  strings  of  pearls.  Her  Ma- 
jesty, after  some  maiden  coyness,  took  froai 


32 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


her  own  neck  a  great  cordon  of  pearls,  and 
cast  it  about  the  neck  of  the  Governor,  enter- 
taining him  with  very  gracious  speeches  of 
love  and  courtesy ;  and,  as  soon  as  he  was 
lodged  in  the  town,  she  sent  him  another 
present,  of  not  quite  so  delicate  and  refined  a 
character,  but  no  doubt  considered  by  her  of 
far  greater  value,  namely,  some  hens.  Per- 
ceiving that  they  valued  the  pearls,  she  ad- 
vised the  Governor  to  send  and  search  certain 
graves  that  were  in  that  town,  and  that  they 
should  find  many.  They  searched  the  graves, 
and  there  found  '  fourteen  measures'  of  pearls, 
weighing  two  hundred  and  ninet3'-two  pounds, 
figures  of  various  kinds — little  babies,  birds, 
etc.,  were  tnade  of  them,"  reminding  one  of 
the  recent  excavations  at  Chiriqui. 

The  people  were  brown,  well  made,  and 
well  proportioned ;  and  more  civil  than  the 
other  tribes  which  had  been  met  with  in 
Florida  ;  they  were  likewise  well  shod  and 
clothed. 

The  Spaniards,  worried  and  fatigued  by 
their  tedious  and  fruitless  marches,  urged 
their  leader  to  settle  in  the  country,  as  the 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  33 

climate  was  mild,  the  lands  rich  and  produc- 
tive, and  the  coast  afforded  good  harbors  to 
shelter  their  ships.  But  the  Governor  re- 
plied, that  he  intended  to  seek  treasures 
such  as  Atahualpa,  Lord  of  Peru,  possessed. 
Doubtless  the  country  was  a  good  one,  that 
pearls  of  value  abounded  therein,  yet  there 
was  not  sufficient  inducement  to  retain  him 
there.  And,  as  De  Soto  Avas  firm  and  decided 
in  his  opinion,  though  giving  car  to  those  of 
others,  his  followers  acquiesced  in  his  views. 

"  The  fair  princess  seems  to  have  been  ill 
requited  for  her  hospitable  reception  of  the 
Spaniards.  Held  as  a  hostage  (for  the  good 
behaviour  of  the  Indians,  it  is  presumed),  Dj 
Soto  insisted  upon  her  accompan3-ing  him, 
which  she  did  for  many  days  ;  until,  one  day, 
turning  aside  into  the  forest  upon  some  slight 
pretext,  she  disappeared,  not  without  suspicion 
of  design,  as  there  happened  to  be  missing  at 
the  same  time  one  of  the  Spaniards,  who, 
report  said,  bad  joined  the  fair  princess  for 
weal  or  for  woe,  and  had  returned  with  her 
to  her  tribe." 

From  South  Carolina,  De  Soto  proceeded 
2* 


34 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


to  Georgia,  which  he  penetrated  as  far  as  the 
borders  of  Tennessee,  but  failed  to  find  the 
gold  which  the  natives  of  the  sea-board,  with 
the  hope  of  getting  rid  of  him,  had  stated 
would  there  be  found  in  abundance.  Turn- 
ing his  steps  to  the  south-west,  he  passed 
through  Georgia  and  Alabama,  and  reached  a 
point  near  Mobile,  where  news  was  brought 
that  the  fleet  was  awaiting  him  but  a  few  days' 
journey  off,  in  the  spacious  harbor  of  Ochusc, 
or  Pensacola. 

It  would  have  been  well  if  the  valorous 
Spaniard  had  then  abandoned  his  hopeless 
enterprise,  and  had  re-embarked  his  discour- 
aged followers,  who  had  undergone  eighteen 
months  of  hardship — well,  if  he  had  returned 
to  Cuba,  where  Dona  Isabel  was  anxiously 
awaiting  his  coming.  But  De  Soto  had  de- 
cided never  to  return  to  his  native  land  until 
he  had  discovered  the  land  where  wealth 
abounded.  So,  binding  Ortiz,  who,  alone  be- 
sides himself,  knew  of  the  proximity  of  the 
fleet,  to  secrecy,  he  directed  his  course  to  the 
northward  and  westward  ;  and,  after  a  march 
fraught  with  dangers  and  difficulties,  emerged 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA 


35 


from  the  swamps  and  forests  of  the  wilder- 
ness, in  the  Spring  of  1541,  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Father  of  Waters,  the  Mecassabe,  near 
the  present  site  .of  Memphis. 

That  year  he  spent  exploring  the  country 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  in  April  he  re- 
turned to  the  river,  intending  to  send  de- 
spatches to  the  fleet,  to  be  conveyed  to  Dona 
Isabel.  But  the  end  of  the  brave  soldier  was 
approaching. 

In  the  long  marches  through  the  swamps 
and  lowlands,  he  had  contracted  a  fever,  which 
increased  rapidl}',  and  made  him  aware  that 
his  last  hour  was  at  hand.  He  prepared  for 
death  with  the  calmness  of  a  soldier,  appointed 
Louis  de  Alvarado  to  the  chief  command,  and 
required  his  officers  to  take  the  oath  to  obey 
and  serve  him  faithfully.  This  done,  the  dying 
Governor  called  to  him  his  followers,  of  whom 
he  tenderly  took  his  last  leave,  calmly  address- 
ing them  while  they  wept.  De  Soto  soon 
after  expired.* 

Thus  perished  Hernando  de  Soto,  the  most 
distinguished    of    the    man}^    brave    leaders, 

*  Irving. 


36  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

whose  names  are  honored  as  the  discoverers 
and  settlers  of  the  Western  World.  His  fol- 
lowers, fearing  to  bury  him  on  the  shore,  lest 
the  Indians  should  desecrate  his  grave,  hol- 
lowed out  the  trunk  of  a  live  oak  of  sufficient 
diameter  to  contain  the  body.  Therein  they 
placed  the  corpse,  closed  its  opening  with 
planking,  and  at  midnight  conveyed  the  re- 
mains to  mid-stream,  where  the  river  was  a 
mile  in  width  and  nineteen  fathoms  deep, 
They  there  committed  to  the  deep  the  mortal 
remains  of  their  commander. 

De  la  Vega,  in  his  history  of  the  expedition, 
says :  "  The  discoverer  of  the  Mississippi 
slept  beneath  its  waters.  He  had  crossed  a 
lai-ge  part  of  the  Continent  in  search  of  gold, 
and  found  nothing  so  remarkable  as  his  burial- 
place." 

Our  fair  readers  will  ask  what  became  of 
the  eighteen  "measures"  of  pearls.  Alas!  in 
one  of  the  villages  where  De  Soto  established 
his  quarters,  the  natives,  at  night,  fired  the 
building ;  and  it  was  quite  as  much  as  the 
Spaniards  could  do  to  save  themselves,  much 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  37 

less  the  pearls  which,  together  with  quan- 
tities of  stores  and  equipments,  were  utterly 
consumed. 

De  Soto  died  on  21st  iMay,  1542.  His  suc- 
cessor, INIoscoso  de  Alvarado,  at  once  sum- 
moned a  council  of  his  officers  to  determine 
the  best  course  to  pursue.  They  decided  to 
leave  the  country  ;  but  how  to  do  so  with  the 
least  embarrassment  was  the  question.  One 
of  the  officers,  Juan  de  Anasco,  urged  the 
Commander  to  push  through  to  the  frontiers 
of  Mexico,  offering  to  show  the  way.  He 
insisted  that  the  distance  was  not  great . 
therefore  his  advice  prevailed,  and,  in  the 
early  part  of  June,  they  commenced  their 
march  onward. 

The  Spaniards  had  not  proceeded  far  on 
their  way,  Avhen  they  discovered  that  one  of 
their  number  was  missing;  a  young  Cavalier 
of  good  family  named  Diego  de  Guzman.  It 
appears  that  the  gay  Diego,  in  a  foray,  had 
captured  a  most  beautiful  Indian  girl,  with 
whom  he  at  once  fell  most  desperately  in  love. 
As  this  fair  damsel  was  also  missing,  the  Span- 
iards concluded  the  pair  had  gone  off  togcth- 

45(5G7a 


38  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

er.  To  make  sure  that  such  was  the  case,  the 
general  summoned  to  him  the  several  chiefs 
of  the  province  who  were  in  his  escort,  and 
gave  them  to  understand  that,  unless  the  des- 
erter was  brought  to  his  camp,  he  would  be 
led  to  believe  the  Indians  had  murdered  him  ; 
in  which  case  their  lives  should  be  the  penalty. 
The  alarmed  chiefs  sent  forth  their  scouts, 
who  soon -returned  with  the  news  that  Guz- 
man was  with  his  fair  captive's  father,  a  neigh- 
boring Cacique,  living  on  the  best  in  the  land 
and  treated  with  great  kindness  and  distinct- 
ion. De  Gallegos,  who  was  a  friend  and 
townsman  of  De  Guzman,  wrote  beseechingly 
to  him,  to  remember  that  he  was  a  Spaniard 
and  a  Cavalier,  and  not  to  desert  his  God,  his 
countrymen,  and  his  native  land.  His  elo- 
quent appeal  was  returned  the  following  day, 
with  the  indorsement,  in  charcoal'  "  De  Guz- 
man." 

No  other  word  did  the  young  Cavalier 
vouchsafe  to  his  companions  in  arms,  but  the 
messenger  said  he  had  no  intention  nor  wish 
to  rejoin  the  army  ;  whilst  the  Cacique  sent 
word  that  his  son-in-law,   who  had  restored 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  30 

to  him  a  beloved  daughter,  was  not  detained 
by  force,  but  remained  of  his  own  free  will. 
The  Governor,  upon  this,  abandoned  any  fur- 
ther attempt  to  recover  De  Guzman,  and  re- 
leased the  chiefs  ;  who,  however,  accompanied 
him  to  the  frontier.* 

For  many  weary  months,  the  brave  Httle 
army  forced  its  way  onward  to  the  westward, 
reaching  the  roaming  grounds  of  the  Buffalo, 
and  beholding,  in  the  distance,  a  lofty  chain  of 
mountains  !  At  last,  despairing  of  ever  reach- 
ing Mexico  by  that  route,  they  reluctantly 
set  out  on  their  return  to  the  Mississippi, 
which  they  reached  in  the  Autumn  of  that 
year.  Wintering  in  the  villages  they  found 
upon  the  banks,  and  which  they  fortified,  they 
set  to  work  to  build  seven  vessels  for  the  trans- 
fer of  the  force.  Francisco,  a  Genoese,  v.dio 
had  been  throughout  invaluable  to  De  Soto  in 
building  bridges,  rafts  and  boats,  superin- 
tended the  work.  He  was  assisted  b}'  several 
soldiers,  who  had  inhabited  the  sea-coast 
of  Spain.  Notwithstanding  their  combined 
efforts,    it    was    not  until    the   early    part   of 

*  Irvine. 


40 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


July  that  the  vessels  were  completed,  and 
the  preparations  made  for  taking  their  de- 
parture. 

Of  the  gallant  host  that  had  landed  with 
De  Soto,  but  three  hundred  and  fifty  survived 
to  embark  on  the  frail  vessels  comprising  the 
fleet.  It  started  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Arkansas  river,  upon  the  bosom  of  the  Fath- 
er of  Waters — the  highway,  as  they  hoped, 
to  their  distant  home. 

The  Indians  had  eagerly  watched  the  pre- 
parations of  the  Spaniards ;  and  had  sent  word 
far  and  wide  that  their  common  enemies 
were  about  to  depart,  and  thus  evade  the  ven- 
geance they  had  hoped  to  wreak  upon  them. 
The  tribes  gathered  from  the  surrounding 
country  ;  they  harassed  the  Spaniards  as  they 
passed  down  the  river;  and  when,  at  last,  they 
reached  the  ocean,  many  had  been  killed  by 
the  arrows  of  the  natives.  From  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi,  the  Spaniards  coasted  along 
the  shores  of  Louisiana  and  Texas  for  nearly 
two  months,  and  at  last  reached  the  Spanish 
settlements  in  Mexico.  Here  they  w^ere 
warmly  received  by  the  Viceroy,  De  Mcndozo, 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  ^I 

who  sent  those  who  so  desired  to  Spain,  while 
others  he  took  into  his  service. 

Poor  Doiia  Isabel,  the  wife  of  De  Soto,  dur- 
ing these  three  years,  had  never  ceased  to  send 
fleet  after  fleet  to  seek  and  carry  succor  to  her 
husband,  but  they  returned  without  tidings  of 
the  Governor.  At  length,  one  of  her  faithful 
captains  reached  Vera  Cruz,  in  October,  1543, 
and  there  learned  the  death  of  De  Soto ;  and 
that,  of  his  brave  men,  but  three  hundred  had 
reached  Mexico  alive.  When  this  sad  news 
reached  Dona  Isabel,  the  blow  proved  too 
great  for  her  too  bear  ;  and  it  is  said  she  soon 
died  of  a  broken  heart. 


1559 — DON   TRISTAN   DE   LUNA. 

Not  many  years  elapsed  before  the  Spanish 
Monarch  ordered  the  Viceroy  of  Mexico  to 
prepare  another  expedition  for  the  conquest 
and  settlement  of  Florida.  This  expedition, 
which  consisted  of  fifteen  hundred  men,  set 
sail,  under  the  command  of  Don  Tristan  de 
Luna,  in  the  Spring  of  1559,  from  the  port  of 
Vera  Cruz.     The  fleet  reached  Pensacola  Bay 


42  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

in  safety ;  but  a  few  clays  after  coming  to  an- 
chor was  entirely  wrecked,  together  with  the 
greater  part  of  the  supphes.  This  misfortune, 
and  the  unfavorable  reports  of  the  country 
brought  to  De  Luna  by  scouting  parties,  which 
he  had  sent  into  the  interior,  caused  the  gen- 
eral to  render  such  accounts  to  the  Viceroy  as 
to  induce  him  to  recall  the  expedition — not, 
however,  before  its  members  had  suffered  pri- 
vations which  equalled  those  of  their  prede- 
cessors. 

De  Luna's  expedition  was  the  last  sent  by 
the  Spanish  to  Florida.  At  that  time  the 
Spaniards  regarded  as  Florida  the  whole  shore 
of  the  Continent,  from  the  frontier  of  Mexico 
to  the  Chesapeake.  We  will  conclude  this 
brief  history  of  Florida  by  narrating  only  what 
occurred  in  the  peninsula  which  now  consti- 
tutes the  State  of  that  name. 


1562 — THE   HUGUENOT   SETTLEMENTS. 

The  year  1562  marked  a  new  era  in  the  his- 
tory of  Florida  and  of  the  Continent.  By  the 
withdrawal  of  De  Luna,  there  was  left  not  a 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  .^ 

single  settlement  of  Europeans  on  the  Conti- 
nent of  North  America  beyond  the  boundaries 
of  Mexico.  That  year,  however,  witnessed 
the  first  attempt  at  colonization  ;  and  that,  too, 
by  the  French. 

The    Huguenots,   wearied   with  strugghng 
against  persecution,  were  seeking  homes  away 
from  their  native  land.     Encouraged  by  Ad- 
miral  Coligny,    the   head    of   the    Protestant 
party  in  France,  an  expedition  for  America 
was  fitted  out,  under  Capt.  Jean  Ribaut,  and 
sailed   in   February,   1562.     Ribaut,   with    his 
two  vessels,  entered  the  St.  John's  River  on 
the   1st  of  jNIay,  but  remained  here  a  short 
time  only.     He  proceeded  to  the  northward, 
until  reaching  Port  Royal  harbor,  where  he 
determined  to  found  the  Huguenot  settlement. 
The  site  was  selected  upon  an  island,  a  fort 
erected,   in    which    he    left  a  small  garrison, 
while  he  returned  to  France  to  obtain  colon- 
ists and  supplies  for  the  settlement.     On  his 
arrival  home,  he  found  the  Civil  War  at  its 
height,  which  debarred  his  return  to  the  suc- 
cor of  the  colony.     The  colonists,  discouraged 
hy  the  long  absence  of  their  commander,  put 


44  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

to  sea  in  a  small  pinnace  which  they  had  con- 
structed, in  the  mad  hope  of  attempting  to 
reach  France.  Fortunately  they  were  rescued 
by  an  English  vessel.  Two  years  later,  Co- 
ligny  being  again  able  to  turn  his  attention  to 
his  favorite  scheme  of  colonization,  despatched 
three  small  vessels  to  Florida,  under  command 
of  a  companion  of  Ribaut,  named  Rene  de 
Laudonniere. 

Laudonniere  landed  at  the  present  site  of 
St.  Augustine  ;  but  on  the  following  day  en- 
tered the  St.  John's  River,  where  he  deter- 
mined to  found  a  settlement. 

The  site  chosen  was  at  St.  John's  Bluff,  just 
within  the  mouth  of  the  River,  where  the  re- 
mains of  the  works  they  constructed  are  still 
said  to  exist.  Laudonniere  erected  a  fort, 
which  he  named  Fort  Caroline,  and  from  it 
made  many  excursions  to  the  surrounding 
country,  and  seems  to  have  kept  on  excellent 
terms  with  the  Indians.  He,  however,  ac- 
complished nothing;  and,  relying  on  receiving 
supplies  from  France,  which  of  course  did  not 
come,  the  garrison  was  reduced  to  the  verge 
of  starvation.     Their  Indian  friends  got  tired 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  45 

of  suppl3ing  their  wants,  particularly  when 
they  found  the  stock  of  "  Parisian  notions  " 
brought  by  them  was  exhausted  ;  they  refused 
longer  to  bring  in  provisions.  Had  it  not  been 
for  a  lovely  widow,  the  Queen  of  a  neighbor- 
ing tribe,  Laudonni^re  and  his  companions 
would  have  inevitably  perished.  But  the 
Queen,  taking  pity  of  their  distress,  sent  them 
in  the  nick  of  time  some  boat-loads  of  corn  and 
beans,  which  were  gladly  welcomed  by  Rene 
and  his  followers.  Fairbanks  tells  us  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  In  De  Bray  there  is  an  engraving  made 
from  a  sketch  of  Le  Moyne's,  who  accompan- 
ied a  deputation,  representing  her  Majesty  in 
her  state  procession.  At  the  head  appear  two 
trumpeters  blowing  upon  reeds.  Then  follow 
six  chiefs  bearing  a  canopied  platform,  on 
which  is  seated,  shaded  by  a  leafy  canopy,  her 
Majesty,  in  the  person  of  a  beautiful  female. 
Around  her  neck  is  a  cordon  of  pearls  ;  brace- 
lets and  g^nklets  adorn  the  person,  et  prcBtcrea 
nihil.  On  each  side  walk  other  chiefs,  hold- 
ing large  feather  shades  or  fans ;  beautiful 
young  girls,  bearing  baskets  of  fruits  and  flow- 


46  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

ers,  follow  next  to  the  Ouecn,  and  then  war- 
riors  and  her  household  guards." 

In  1565,  Coligny,  to  succor  and  render  per- 
manent the  colony  in  Florida,  fitted  out  seven 
vessels,  upon  which  he  embarked  six  hundred 
and  fifty  persons;  comprising  not  only  the 
representatives  of  some  of  the  best  families  of 
France,  but  many  artisans  and  their  families. 
The  colonists  carried  with  them  seed,  and  im- 
plements wherewith  to  till  the  land  ;  indeed, 
every  requisite  for  a  permanent  settlement. 
They  sailed  from  Dieppe,  under  the  command 
of  Ribaut,  on  the  23d  of  May,  1565;  but,  en- 
countering stormy  weather,  it  was  not  till  the 
29th  of  August  that  they  reached  Fort  Caro- 
line, where  they  found  Laudonniere  on  the  eve 
of  departing  for  France. 

In  the  meantime,  whilst  Coligny  was  fitting 
out  this  expedition,  word  had  been  carried  to 
Spain  that  the  French  Huguenots,  whom  they 
looked  upon  as  heretics,  were  on  the  point  of 
seizing  Florida,  a  land  to  which  the  Spaniards 
claimed  exclusive  right.  Philip  II.  at  once 
encouraged  the  fitting  out  of  an  expedition  tc 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


47 


thwart  their  purpose,  and  soon  found  the  man 
whom  he  needed  to  accomplish  this  object. 

This  was  Pedro  Menendcz,  who,  having 
been  successful  in  several  naval  expeditions, 
had  acquired  considerable  fame  and  wealth. 
His  life  had  been  blighted  by  the  loss  of  a  fa- 
vorite son,  who  had  been  shipwrecked  on  the 
coast  of  Florida,  on  board  a  treasure  ship  re- 
turniup  from  Mexico. 

In  the  hopes  of  finding  his  son,  Menendez 
embarked  his  fortune  in  the  new  expedition, 
spending  a  million  of  ducats  for  its  equipment. 
The  King  had  been  lavish  in  his  promises  to 
assist  Menendez,  but  in  the  end  furnished  a 
single  vessel,  and  two  hundred  men.  In  spite 
of  this,  Menendez  set  sail  for  Florida,  from 
Cadiz,  on  the  ist  of  July,  1565,  with  a  fleet  of 
thirty-four  vessels.  Many  of  them  were  ships 
of  from  six  hundred  to  a  thousand  tons,  the 
whole  fleet  carrying  a  force  of  nearly  three 
thousand  persons. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  Ribaut's  vessels  had 
left  France  a  month  in  advance  of  Menendcz, 
but  the  latter  reached  the  coast  of  Florida  on 
the  same  day  as  the  French,  though  not  with 


48  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

the  fleet  with  which  he  sailed  from  Cadiz ;  for 
only  a  third  of  them  were  with  him,  the 
rest  having  been  wrecked  or  dispersed. 

Menendez  landed  on  the  coast  on  the  28tli 
of  August,  1565,  the  fete  of  St.  Augustine, 
in  whose  honor  he  named  his  settlement — a 
name  it  retains  at  present.  From  the  Indians, 
Menendez  learned  that  the  French  were  but  a 
few  leagues  distant  to  the  north,  and  at  the 
mouth  of  St.  John's  river. 

The  French  heard  of  the  arrival  of  their 
enemies,  and  sent  out  a  vessel  to  reconnoitre. 
It  soon  returned,  and  reported  to  Ribaut  that 
the  Spaniards  were  engaged  in  landing  at  St. 
Augustine,  and  in  fortifying  the  place.  Ribaut 
at  once  resolved  to  get  rid  of  so  dangerous  a 
neighbor  by  surprising  him  before  he  could 
strengthen  his  defences.  Leaving  a  small  gar- 
rison at  Fort  Caroline,  he  embarked  his  whole 
force  ;  and,  on  the  loth  of  September,  set  sail 
for  St.  Augustine.  No  sooner  had  he  started 
than  a  gale  arose  and  drove  him  far  beyond 
his  destination.  Menendez,  meantime,  had 
started  overland  to  surprise  Ribaut.  He  was 
guided  by  two  Indian  chiefs,  enemies  of  Lau- 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  ^g 

donnierc.  The  country  was  quasi-impassable, 
made  so  by  the  heavy  rains ;  but  Menendez 
persevered  in  the  march,  and  at  dawn  of  the 
third  day  they  arrived  at  Fort  Caroline. 
Without  losing  a  moment,  the  Spaniards  at- 
tacked the  fort,  which  offered  but  a  feeble  re- 
sistance ;  it  was  soon  captured.  An  indis- 
criminate massacre  of  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren took  place  ;  that,  too,  to  the  lasting-  dis- 
grace of  the  name  of  Menendez.  Some  of  his 
prisoners  he  hung  upon  the  neighboring  trees, 
placiqg  over  them  this  inscription:  "  No  por 
Franceses,  sino  por  Luteranos."  ("  Not  as 
Frenchmen,  but  as  Lutherans.")* 

Menendez,  having  left  at  Fort  Caroline  a 
garrison  of  three  hundred  men,  returned  to  St. 
Augustine,  where,  this  victory  over  the  Hu- 
guenots caused  great  rejoicings.  In  the  midst 
of  the  gaieties,  word  was  brought  that  Ribaut's 
fleet  had  been  stranded  at  Matanzas  Inlet,  some 
distance  below  St.  Augustine,  and  that  his 
force  was  endeavoring  to  cross  to  the  main- 
land. Menendez  set  his  army  in  motion,  and 
soon    arrived    at    the    scene    of    shipwreck. 

*  Fairbanks. 

3 


go  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

Here  a  long  parley  took  place,  the  French 
doing  their  "  possible  to  obtain  terms  of  sur- 
render, by  which  Menendez  would  spare  their 
lives  and  furnish  them  means  to  return  to  their 
own  country."  All  that  could  be  obtained 
from  him  was,  "  that  he  would  treat  them  as 
God  directed  him."  Two  hundred  of  Ribaut's 
companions,  considering  the  tei  ms  extremely 
suspicious,  made  their  escape  in  the  night, 
to  the  southward.  In  the  morning,  Ribaut, 
most  of  his  officers,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  unconditionally  surrendered  to  Menen- 
dez, having  faith  in  his  clemency.  The  French 
claim  that  Ribaut  was  promised  his  life  and 
the  lives  of  his  followers,  but  this  the  Spanish 
historians  deny.  At  all  events,  by  the  orders 
of  the  general,  the  shipwrecked  soldiers  were 
marched  into  the  woods  in  detached  parties 
and  cruelly  butchered. 

The  two  hundred  who  had  fled,  made  their 
way  to  Point  Canaveral,  where  they  hastily 
threw  up  some  works  to  defend  them  ;  and 
then  commenced  building  a  vessel  from  the 
materials  of  a  wreck  which  they  found  there. 
Upon  learning  of  their  whereabouts,  Menen- 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  5 1 

dez  sent  them  word  that  if  the}"  would  surren- 
der, he  would  protect  them  and  treat  them  as 
Spaniards.  Most  of  them  accepted  his  terms, 
and,  singular  to  narrate,  the  Spanish  comman- 
der kept  his  word.  They  became  a  part  of 
the  colony,  and  afterwards  some  of  them  re- 
turned to  France. 

The  fearful  massacres  perpetrated  by  Gov- 
nor  Menendez  created  considerable  excite- 
ment throughout  Europe;  but  Spain  ap- 
proved of  the  deed,  which  was  commended 
by  Philip  II.  and  his  people  as  a  righteous 
act.  France  made  numerous  demands  upon 
the  Crown  of  Spain  to  revenge  the  murder 
of  their  countrymen;  but  Charles  IX.  and  his 
Court  felt  little  sympathy  for  the  misfortunes 
of  the  Huguenots,  and  treated  the  matter  wnth 
indifference. 

jNIenendez,  having  disposed  of  Ribaut,  turn- 
ed his  attention  to  strengthening  the  defences 
of  St.  Augustine,  and  placing  the  settlement 
on  a  permanent  footing.  A  strong  fort  was 
built,  a  cathedral  and  other  buildings  erected, 
and  magistrates  and  others  appointed  to  ad- 
minister  the    government   of    the    province. 


52 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


He  then  set  out  to  explore  the  shores  of 
the  peninsula  in  search  of  his  long-lost  son ; 
and  for  months  persevered  in  the  task.  He 
visited  innumerable  bays  and  inlets ;  and, 
through  his  interpreters,  sought  among  the 
Indian  tribes  information  which  might  shed 
light  upon  the  fate  of  his  child.  At  last,  to 
his  great  joy,  he  was  told  that,  near  Cape 
Florida,  seven  Spaniards,  shipwrecked  years 
before,  were  living  with  the  Indians.  Reach- 
ing the  Indian  Settlement,  Menendez  was 
bitterly  disappointed  to  find  his  son  was  not 
among  them.  Sick  at  heart,  he  invited  the 
seven  Spaniards  —  who  had  been  with  the 
natives  twenty  years  —  on  board  his  vessel, 
and  returned  to  St,  Augustine. 

DE   GOURGES. 

In  1567,  Menendez  deemed  it  to  his  interest 
to  visit  Spain,  and  ordered  a  vessel  to  be  built 
to  convey  him  thither.  By  his  command, 
this  craft  was  of  twenty  tons  burthen.  In 
this  little  yacht,  which  would  have  done 
credit  to  herself  and  her  builders  in  a  regatta 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  53 

of  the  present  day,  jNlenendez  ran  to  tlie 
Azores  in  seventeen  days,  and  landed  in  Spain 
after  the  shortest  passage  of  the  period.  At 
the  Spanish  Court  he  was  received  with 
the  highest  honors ;  but  when  he  asked  for 
material  aid  ftjr  the  struggling  colony,  and  to 
be  reimbursed  for  the  enormous  outlay  he  had 
made  in  crushing  the  Lutheran  pirates — as  the 
Huguenots  were  then  termed  —  he  found 
them  slow  to  respond  to  his  demands.  For 
more  than  a  year  he  remained  in  Spain,  and 
at  last  succeeded  "  in  getting  his  bill  honor- 
ed," besides  being  made  Governor  of  Cuba. 

He  arrived  at  St.  Augustine  in  the  Spring 
of  1568,  and  learned  with  grief  and  rage  that 
a  serious  accident  had  happened  to  his  faith- 
ful garrison  at  Fort  Caroline  ;  nothing  less 
than  the  massacre  of  the  entire  party,  by  De 
Gourges,  the  Huguenot. 

Dominic  de  Gourges  was  a  brave  soldier  ; 
from  his  early  youth  he  had  led  a  life  of  adven- 
ture ;  captured  by  the  Spaniards  in  battle,  he 
had  been  made  a  galley-slave.  He  was  also 
taken  by  the  Turks,  but  was  afterwards  re- 
captured by  his  countrymen. 


54 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


Returning  from  a  successful  voyao:e  to 
Brazil,  he  arrived  in  France  to  learn  of  the 
massacre  of  the  French  at  Fort  Carohne. 
From  that  moment  he  determined  to  devote 
his  life  and  fortune  to  avenging  that  dastardly 
act. 

De  Gourges  did  not  ask  the  assistance  of 
the  French  Government  for  his  proposed  ex- 
pedition ;  he  carefully  concealed  his  designs, 
but  made  his  preparations  with  all  possible 
haste.  Having  secured  a  permit  for  a  voyage 
to  Africa,  to  obtain  a  cargo  of  slaves,  he  en- 
listed about  one  hundred  and  eighty  soldiers 
and  sailors  for  the  purpose. 

After  a  long  and  stormy  voyage,  De  Gour- 
ges arrived  with  his  three  vessels,  at  Fernan- 
dina,  then  called  La  Seine  by  the  French.  It 
was  there  that  he  made  his  preparations  for 
avenging  his  countrymen  and  co-religionists. 
Among  his  troops  was  one  who  had  accom- 
panied the  unfortunate  Laudonniere,  and  who 
understood  the  language  of  the  natives.  This 
proved  a  fortunate  circumstance ;  for  no 
sooner  had  the  vessels  anchored  in  the  beauti- 
ful harbor,  than  the  Indians  assembled  on  the 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


55 


beach  to  contest  the  landing  of  the  detested 
Spaniards,  as  they  supposed  De  Gourges' 
party  to  be.  But  the  above-mentioned  soldier 
explained  to  the  chief,  Satourioura,  the  nat- 
ure of  the  expedition.  He  was  pleased  with 
the  news,  and  promised  to  rally  to  De  Gour- 
ges' aid  thousands  of  warriors,  who  would  aid 
the  French  in  exterminating  the  common 
enemy.  Then  they  brought  to  the  French  a 
lad,  one  Peter  De  Bre,  who  had  escaped  fi-om 
the  massacre  at  Fort  Caroline,  and  had  come 
to  them.  He  proved  of  great  service  as  an 
interpreter  and  in  obtaining  correct  informa- 
tion as  to  the  strength  and  position  of  the 
Spaniards.* 

The  preparations  being  completed  ;  accom- 
panied by  the  forces  of  his  Indian  ally,  De 
Gourges  set  out  for  Fort  Caroline.  H  e  reach- 
ed it,  and  surprised  the  garrison,  which  was 
unprepared  for  a  land  attack. 

Finding  themselves  surrounded,  the  gar- 
rison threw  down  their  arms  and  attempted 
to  make  good  their  escape.  They  were,  how- 
ever, either  slain  or  captured.      Taking  the 

*  Fairbanks. 


56  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

survivors  to  the  spot  where  Menendez,  three 
years  before,  had  executed  the  Huguenots, 
De  Gourges  hanged  the  Spaniards  to  the 
branches  of  the  oaks ;  and,  taking  down  the 
former  inscription  placed  over  the  French 
bodies  by  the  Spaniards,  he  replaced  it  with 
the  following ;  "  I  do  this,  not  as  unto  Span- 
iards, nor  as  to  outcasts,  but  as  to  traitors, 
thieves,  and  murderers." 

Dc  Gourges  and  his  followers  then  re-em- 
barked, amid  a  perfect  ovation  from  the  In- 
dians, and  safely  returned  to  France. 

This  humiliating  blow  of  De  Gourges,  to- 
gether with  other  discouraging  events,  damp- 
ed Menendez's  enthusiasm  for  colonizing.  He, 
nevertheless,  made  many  excursions  to  the 
surrounding  country,  and  even  reached  the 
shores  of  the  Chesapeake.  The  Colony,  not- 
withstanding, did  not  flourish  ;  so,  when  called 
to  Spain  to  take  command  of  the  Spanish 
fleet,  he  was  pleased  to  leave  Florida  for  ever. 
He  died  soon  after  reaching  Spain,  in  1574,  in 
the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

Menendez  left  the  government  of  Florida  in 
the  hands  of  his  relative,  the  Marquis  de  Me- 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  ry 

nendez  ;    and,  from  that  time  until   1586,  its 
histoiy  presents  little  of  interest. 

In  that  year  Sir  Francis  Drake,  the  English 
freebooter,  on  his  way  to  England,  surprised 
and  captured  St.  Augustine,  which,  at  the 
time,  was  a  well-built  and  flourishing  town. 
The  family  of  Menendez  continued  governing 
Florida  for  nearly  one  hundred  3^ears.  In 
1665,  an  English  pirate.  Captain  John  Davis, 
captured  and  pillaged  the  town. 

South  Carolina,  having  been  settled  by  the 
Enghsh,  constant  troubles  arose  between  the 
Colonists  and  the  Spaniards.  Governor 
Moore,  in  1702,  attacked  St.  Augustine,  but 
met  with  a  disastrous  repulse.  In  1740,  Gov- 
ernor Oglethorpe,  of  Georgia,  also  met  wdth 
a  like  result  before  the  walls  of  that  city.  In 
1762,  Cuba  fell  into  possession  of  the  English  ; 
and  when  peace  was  declared  'during  the  fol- 
lowing year,  Great  Britain  transferred  it  to 
Spain  in  exchange  for  Florida. 

Captain  James  Grant  was  the  first  English 
Governor.     One  of  his  earliest  acts  w^as  the 
issue  of  a  proclamation  referring  to  the  salu- 
brity of  the  climate,  and  the  extreme  age  at- 
3* 


58  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

tained  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  coimtr}'.* 
In  this,  and  in  other  ways,  he  endeavored  to 
attract  emigration  to  the  shores  of  Florida. 
In  1766,  a  certain  Dr.  Turnbull,  a  Scotchman, 
having  obtained  from  the  Crown  the  conces- 
sion of  a  large  tract  of  land  below  St.  Augus- 
tine, he  called  it  New  Smyrna.  To  it  he 
brought,  from  Smyrna  and  the  Balearic  Isles, 
fifteen  hundred  Greeks  and  Minorcans,  whom 
he  settled  there. 

Ten  years  later,  these  colonists  secured 
from  the  magistrates  at  St.  Augustine,  a  de- 
cree cancelling  their  agreement  with  Turn- 
bull  ;  and  almost  the  entire  number  removed 
to  St.  Augustine,  and  colonized,  where  their 
descendants  still  remain,  forming  the  most 
industrious  and  interesting  portion  of  the 
population. 

In  1 82 1,  Florida  was  ceded  to  the  United 
States.  Of  the  long  wars  with  the  Seminole 
Indians  it  is  unnecessary  to  remark — the 
visitor  to  Florida  will  continue  to  find 
among  the  old  inhabitants  many  who  have 
gone     through     those     bloody    scenes,    and 

*  Fairbanks. 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


59 


who    take     interest    in    narrating    them     to 
strangers. 


We  will  here  terminate  our  brief  sketch 
of  the  history  of  Florida,  referring  the  reader 
for  more  ample  information,  to  the  "  History 
of  Florida "  by  Fairbanks  ;  and  to  Irving's 
Conquest  thereof — of  which  the  writer  has 
availed  himself  for  much  of  the  foregoing  in- 
formation. 


FLORIDA; 

ITS   GEOGRAPHY  AND   CLIMATE,   ETC. 


Florida  is  the  most  southern  of  the  States 
of  the  Union,  and  extends  down  to  latitude 
25°  N.  The  peninsula  is  four  hundred  miles 
in  length,  with  an  average  width  of  about  one 
hundred  miles.  It  contains  59,268  square 
miles  of  territory,  and  a  population  of  about 
two  hundred  thousand  ;  the  white  and  colored 
being  nearl}'^  equal  in  numbers,  the  whites 
slightly  predominating. 

The  surface  of  the  country  is  remarkably 
level.  The  lands  in  the  upper  portion  of  the 
State,  near  the  boundary  of  Georgia,  are  of  a 
rolling  character.  A  large  proportion  of  the 
land  is  covered  with  forests  of  pine  and  c}'- 
press.     The  most  remarkable  feature  of  the 

State  is  its  numerous  navigable  streams  and 

(60) 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  6 1 

lakes,  and  its  wonderful  mineral  springs, 
which  probably  gave  rise  to  the  fable  of  the 
Fountain  of  Rejuvenancy,  to  which  Ponce  de 
Leon  aspired  possession.  The  Indians,  from 
the  earliest  times,  had  resorted  to  these  foun- 
tains for  medicinal  purposes,  and  knew  well 
their  beneficial  effects.  Even  now  the  waters 
continue  to  enjoy  their  ancient  reputation, 
and  thither  strangers  repair  in  search  of 
health. 

These  springs  are  the  largest  in  the  world 
— excepting  those  mentioned  by  Livingstone 
as  being  the  source  of  the  Nile.  Williams,  in 
his  history  of  Florida,  thus  describes  two  of 
the  hundreds  which  exist  in  that  State. 

"  The  Wakulla  River  rises  about  ten  miles 
N.  W.  from  St.  Mark's,  from  one  of  the  finest 
springs  in  Florida.  It  is  of  an  oval  form,  the 
largest  diameter  of  which  is  about  six  rods. 
It  is  of  unknown  depth  and  perfectly  trans- 
parent. In  looking  into  it,  the  color  resem- 
bles a  clear  blue  sky,  except  near  the  border, 
where  it  has  a  slight  tinge  of  green,  from  the 
reflection  of  the  surrounding  verdure,  which 
overhangs  it  in  drooping  branches  and  waving 


62  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

festoons.  The  Eastern  side  presents  a  rugged 
rocky  precipice ;  all  else  is  in  an  abyss  of 
boundless  depth.  Squadrons  of  fish  are  seen 
careering  round  '  their  own  world  '  in  perfect 
security. 

"  The  big  Spring  of  Chipola  offers  a  very 
different  scene.  Here  a  river  bursts  from  the 
earth,  with  a  giant  force,  from  large  masses 
of  rugged  rocks,  with  furious  rapidity,  as 
though  impatient  of  restraint.  The  orifice 
opens  to  the  southwest  from  a  high  bank  cov- 
ered with  large  oak  trees.  This  orifice  is 
thirty  feet  by  eight  feet  wide.  A  large  rock 
divides  the  mouth  almost  into  two  parts.  This 
spring  at  once  forms  a  river  six  rods  wide  and 
eight  feet  deep,  which  joins  the  Chipola  River 
at  about  ten  miles  distance." 

The  River  St.  John's  is  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable and  beautiful  in  our  country.  For 
a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  its  average  width  is 
nearly  two  miles ;  and,  in  many  places,  it  en- 
larges into  lakes  ten  and  twenty  miles  in 
width.  Of  its  many  beauties  we  shall  have 
occasion  to  speak  further  on. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


CLIMATE. 


63 


The  wonderful  salubrity  of  the  climate  of 
Florida  is  its  greatest  attraction,  and  is  des- 
tined to  make  it  to  America  what  the  South 
of  France  and  Italy  are  to  Europe, — the  refuge 
of  those  who  seek  to  escape  the  rigor  of  a 
Northern  winter.  The  sudden  changes  ex- 
perienced at  Nice  or  Florence  are  unknown 
in  Florida. 

So  well  convinced  are  our  physicians  of  this 
fact,  that  they  now  advise  their  patients  to 
seek  health  in  Florida,  within  three  days'  reach 
of  their  homes  and  friends,  in  lieu  of  going 
abroad  at  a  stormy  season  of  the  year. 

Florida,  as  a  resort  for  those  suffering  from 
pulmonary  disease,  is  preferable  to  any  other 
portion  of  America.  The  census  of  i860  fur- 
nished the  following  evidence  on  this  subject. 
It  gives  the  average  number  of  deaths  from 
Consumption  as  follows : 

One  in  254  in  Massachusetts. 
One  in  473  in  New  York. 
One  in  757  in  Virginia. 
One  in  1139  in  Minnesota. 
One  in  1447  in  Florida. 


64 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


The  following  Summary  of  Observations,  taken  from  the 
"  Army  Meteorological  Register"  are  introduced  to  show  the 
equability  of  the  climate  of  Florida,  as  compared  with  that 
of  other  parts  of  the  United  States: 


Jan. 

57.03 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 
68.78 

May. 
73-50 

June 

St.  Augustine,  Fla.. 

59-94 

63-34 

7936 

Tampa  Bay,         "   . 

61.53 

63-54 

67.72 

71.82 

7664 

79.46 

Key  West,            "   . 

66.68 

68.88 

72.88 

75.38 

79.10 

81.63 

West  Point,  N.  Y.. 

28.28 

28.80 

3763 

48.70 

59.82 

68.41 

Fort  Snelling,  Min. 

13.76 

17-57 

31.41 

56.34 

58.97 

68.46 

July. 
80.90 

Aug. 

80.56 

Sept. 
78.60 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Year 

St.  Augustine,  Fla.. 

71.88 

64.12 

57.26 

69.61 

Tampa  Bay,         "   . 

80.72 

80.43 

7828 

74.02 

66.94 

61.99 

71.92 

Key  West, 

83.00 

82.90 

81.92 

78.11 

74.66 

71  03 

76.51 

West  Point,  N.  Y.. 

73  75 

71.83 

64.31 

53-04 

12.23 

31.98 

50.73 

Fort  Snelling,  Min. 

73.40 

70.05 

58  86 

47-15 

31.67 

16.8,) 

46.54 

The  above  indicates  the  mean  tempera- 
ture, the  result  of  over  twenty  years'  observa- 
tions. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  65 

The  sulphur  baths  at  Green  Cove  Springs, 
and  other  points  in  Florida,  have  been  pro- 
nounced as  efficacious  for  the  cure  of  Rheu- 
matism as  those  of  Sharon  and  Richfield, 
whilst  St.  Augustine  is  the  refuge  of  those 
afflicted  with  that  dreadful  disease.  Asthma. 
We  have  never  heard  of  an  instance  where  re- 
lief vsras  not  effected. 


HOW  TO   REACH   FLORIDA. 

The  choice  of  a  route  to  Florida  is,  of 
course,  the  first  and  most  important  consider- 
tion  to  those  who  intend  going  thither.  Ac- 
cording to  our  opinion,  the  Steamers  of  the 
New  York  and  Charleston,  and  New  York 
and  Savannah  lines,  offer  the  best  mode  of 
conveyance.  They  are  in  all  respects  the 
most  advisable  whether  for  the  invalid  or 
pleasure  seeker.  The  following  comprise  the 
vessels  running  to  the  places  named,  and 
form  a  splendid  fleet  of  first-class  ocean 
steamers ; 


^  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

NEW    YORK    AND    CHARLESTON    LINE. 

"  Manhattan  "— M.  S.  Woodhull,  Commander. 
"  Champion  "— R.  W.  Lockwood,  " 

"  Charleston  " — James  Berry,  " 

'*  James  Adger  "— T.  J.  Lockwood,        " 

"  Georgia  " Holmes,  " 

i'  South  Carolina  "—J.  T.  Beckett,         " 
Sailing  from  Pier  29  North  River,  at  3  p.  m.,  every 
Tuesday,  Thursday,  and  Saturday.     Jas.  W.  Quin- 
TARD  &  Co.,  Agents,  corner  of  Warren  and  West 
Streets;  or  Wm.  P.  Clyde,  6  Bowling  Green. 


NEW    YORK    AND    SAVANNAH    LINES. 

''  Leo  " — Dearborn,  Commander. 

"  Virgo  "— Bulkley,  " 

Every  Tuesday,  from  foot  of  Wall  Street,  at  3  p.  m. 
Murray,  Ferris  &  Co.,  Agents,  61  and  62  South 
Street. 

"  Herman  Livingston  " — Cheeseman,  Commander. 

"  General  Barnes  "— Mallory,  " 

Every  Thursday,  from  Pier  43,  North  River,  at  3 
p.  M.     Wm.  R.  Garrison,  Agent,  5   Bowling  Green. 

"  San  Jacinto  " — Hazard,  Commander. 

"  San  Salvador  " — Nickerson,     " 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  67 

Every  Saturday,  from  Pier  43,  North  River,  at  3  p.  m. 
Wm.  R.  Garrison,  Agent,  5  Bowling  Green. 


We  refer  to  advertisements  of  above  com- 
panies, which  will  be  found  at  the  end  of  this 
volume  ;  and  in  the  event  of  any  further  infor- 
mation being  desired,  the  traveller  cannot  do 
better  than  apply  at  one  of  the  different  offices 
named,  where  he  will  be  treated  with  cour- 
tesy, and  placed  in  possession  of  any  informa- 
tion he  desires. 

The  voyage  to  Charleston  or  Savannah  is  a 
short  one,  it  seldom  exceeding  sixty  hours  in 
time ;  and  experience  has  proven  that  the  in- 
valid almost  invariably  improves  at  sea.  The 
vessels  are  provided  with  an  excellent  table 
and  careful  attendance,  such  comforts  as  it  is 
impossible  to  procure  on  any  other  route. 
For  those  in  good  health,  the  trip  is  a  most 
enjoyable  one.     The  class  of  passengers  avail- 


68  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

ing  themselves  of  these  steamers  are  invariably 
pleasant  and  agreeable  companions — tourists 
from  ail  parts  of  the  United  States,  Boston, 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Chicago,  St.  Louis, 
Cincinnatti,  etc — scarcely  a  city  but  is  repre- 
sented on  board  of  them. 

Travelers  who  go  by  land  should  leave 
either  by  the  morning  train  at  9,  or  by  the 
9:30  evening  Express,  on  the  New  Jersey 
R.  R.  The  morning  train  connects  at  Balti- 
more with  the  Steamers  of  the  Bay  Line  for 
Norfolk,  the  least  fatiguing  route.  The  cap- 
ital suppers  and  comfortable  state-rooms  fur- 
nished on  board  that  line  will  long  dwell  in 
the  memory  of  the  Southern  traveler.  The 
evening  train  carries  the  passenger  via  Wash- 
ington and  Richmond. 

Until  recently  there  was  no  comfortable 
resting-place  on  the  road  south  of  Norfolk  or 
Richmond,  but  now  the  Purcell  House  at 
Wilmington,  North  Carohna,  supplies  the 
want ;  and,  under  the  care  of  Colonel  Davis, 
the  weary  traveler  will  soon  recuperate. 

Invalids,  and  others  not  pressed  for  time, 
should  divide  the  journey  thus — Leave  New 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  69 

York  by  the  morning  train,  and  sleep  at 
Washington ;  pass  the  following  night  at 
Richmond,  the  third  at  Wilmington,  arriving 
at  Charleston  the  fourth  day.  The  Arlington 
at  Washington,  and  Exchange  at  Richmond, 
are  strictly  first-class  hotels. 

A  well-supplied  lunch-basket  will  not  be 
amiss  when  starting  from  Richmond  to  Wil- 
mington, as  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  a  good 
meal  on  the  road. 

At  Charleston,  travelers  will  find  Omni- 
buses waiting  at  the  Steamsliip  Wharf,  and 
Railway  Depot,  to  convey  them  to  the  various 
Hotels,  and  to  the  Steamers  of  the  Florida 
Line. 


CHARLESTON. 

Charleston  is  one  of  the  oldest  cities  of  the 
Continent  (settled  in  1679),  and  is  also  one  of 
the  most  interesting  and  enjoyable.  Its  situa- 
tion, almost  directly  upon'  the  sea,  with  the 
waves  of  the  Atlantic  in  full  view  from  its 
wharves,  is  unsurpassed.  Its  harbor  is  a  fine 
one,  with   ample  water   front   to   supply  the 


70  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

demands  of  its  commerce.  Charleston  has  a 
beautiful  promenade,  on  the  apex  of  the 
peninsula  on  which  the  city  is  built,  and  from 
it  can  be  viewed  Fort  Sumter  and  the  islands 
forming  the  entrance  to  the  Bay — Morris  and 
Sullivan. 

Approaching  Charleston  by  steamer,  the 
city  seems  to  rise  from  the  sea.  On  misty 
mornings,  the  effects  of  mirage  in  the  har- 
bor are  very  remarkable.  The  city  then 
appears  raised  high  above  the  horizon,  and 
entirely  detached  from  it  —  whilst  Sumter 
seems  thrice  its  former  size.  On  one  or  two 
occasions,  during  the  war,  this  phenomenon 
spread  consternation  through  the  city,  as  the 
whole  blockading  squadron  was  made  to  ap- 
pear within  the  obstructions,  and  fast  ap- 
proaching the  wharves.  The  situation  of 
Charleston  for  commercial  purposes  is  admir- 
able, being  nearer  to  the  ocean  than  most 
other  Atlantic  cities  of  importance.  Its  har- 
bor, which  is  capacious  and  secure,  is  easy  of 
access  to  vessels  of  large  tonnage. 

Indeed,  Charleston  possesses  all  the  requi- 
sites of  a  great  commercial  seaport,  and  there 


GUIDE   7V  FLORIDA. 


71 


is  no  doubt  that,  once  relieved  from  her  pres- 
ent exorbitant  taxation,  she  will  make  rapid 
strides  in  prosperity.  Three  great  lines  of 
railway  connect  the  city  with  the  interior,  by 
which  the  products  of  the  South  and  South- 
west can  be  brought  to  her  wharves  at  the 
lowest  rates.  The  recent  discoveries  of  rich 
deposits  of  phosphate  rock  in  the  districts 
about  the  city,  have  proven  to  be  of  great 
importance,  and  many  millions  of  dollars  and 
thousands  of  laborers  are  profitabl}'  em- 
ployed in  digging  and  preparing  it  for  mar- 
ket. 

A  very  erroneous  impression  prevails  as  to 
the  extent  of  business  transacted  in  Charles- 
ton, it  being  far  greater  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed. Her  wholesale  trade  in  dr}'  goods, 
groceries,  etc.,  is-  very  large — nearly  as  great 
as  before  the  war,  and  greater  than  any  other 
Southern  port,  except  New  Orleans.  She  re- 
ceives a  large  quantity  of  cotton  and  lumber, 
naval  stores,  rice,  and  phosphates.  In  spite  of 
bad  government,  high  taxes,  the  ravages  of  fire, 
and  the  unfortunate  investments  in  Confede- 
rate "  securities,"  Charleston  is  undoubtedly 


72 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


progressing,  and  but  few  years  will  be  requir- 
ed to  restore  her  to  her  former  position. 

A  growing  confidence  in  the  final  restora- 
tion of  an  honest  State  government  is  again 
attracting  capital  from  abroad ;  and  many 
transactions  have  of  late  taken  place  in  real 
estate,  within  the  city,  on  terms  which,  to 
those  accustomed  to  the  prices  current  in 
Northern  cities,  would  seem  preposterously 
low.  Fine  dwellings,  with  beautiful  gardens 
attached  thereto,  are  selling  for  from  six  to 
ten  thousand  dollars — in  many  instances  the 
same  buildings  having  originally  cost  double 
that  sum. 

The  resources  of  Charleston  for  a  pleasant 
sojourn  are  varied,  and  visitors,  in  great  num- 
bers, avail  themselves  of  them  during  the 
winter  months.  The  hotels  have  always  been 
celebrated  for  their  comfort  and  good  cheer. 
Unfortunately  one  of  the  favorite  resorts,  the 
■'  Mills'  House,"  is  now  closed  ;  but  the 
■'  Charleston,"  a  strictly  first-class  hotel,  is  kept 
in  excellent  style,  and  has  been  recently  en- 
larged to  meet  the  demand  of  increased 
business.     It  is  admirablv  managed  and  ap- 


o 


O 

O 

^-] 

o 


o 

< 
o 

g 


liii^*Si 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  73 

pointed,  and  the  building  is  one  of  the  orna- 
ments of  the  city. 

The  Artesian  Baths  attached  to  the  house 
form  one  of  its  greatest  attractions.  The 
waters,  which  flow  direct  from  the  wells,  are 
equal  in  softness  to  the  most  famous  springs 
of  Germany. 

In  the  building  is  an  office  where  tickets  to 
Florida  can  be  obtained.  At  the  office  of  the 
hotel  carriages  can  be  procured  to  visit 
several  places  of  interest  in  and  about  the 
city. 

The  "  Pavilion  Hotel "  is  a  well-kept,  com- 
fortable house,  to  whose  advertisement  we  call 
attention. 


OBJECTS   OF   INTEREST. 

The  public  institutions  of  Charleston  are 
numerous,  and  well  worthy  of  a  visit.  The 
Orphan  Asylum  is  an  exceedingly  fine  build- 
ing, from  whose  cupola  a  most  extensive  view 
of  the  city  and  harbor  can  be  obtained.  St. 
Nicholas'  and  St.  Philip's  Churches  are  fine 
edifices — the  former  was  built  from   designs 


74 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


of  Sir  Christopher  Wren,  who  was  also  the 
architect  of  the  building  known  as  the  Old 
Post-office. 

This  building  is  one  in  which  many  prom- 
inent historical  incidents  were  enacted.  It 
was  the  Government  House  in  the  Colonial 
days ;  and  during  the  Revolution  its  cellars 
were  the  dungeon  in  which  the  British  con- 
fined the  prominent  patriots — from  it  Hayne 
was  led  to  execution.  Charlestonians  regard 
the  building  with  interest  and  affection,  and 
hailed  with  pleasure  the  act  of  the  Washing- 
ton government  in  repairing  it,  for  it  had 
fallen  into  almost  total  ruin.  A  great  number 
of  shells,  during  the  bombardment,  had  tra- 
versed it  from  roof  to  cellar.  It  is  again  used 
as  the  Post-office,  and,  though  much  altered, 
still  bears  traces  of  its  original  architecture. 

The  church-yards  of  Charleston  contain 
many  ancient  and  interesting  monuments, 
some  bearing  exceedingly  quaint  inscriptions. 
Calhoun's  tomb  is  in  St.  Philip's  yard. 

The  Battery,  lined  with  rows  of  beautiful 
residences,  is  the  favorite  afternoon  promen- 
ade.    At  sunset,  the  visitor,  leaning  over  the 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  75 

parapet  rail,  watching  the  waves  break  against 
the  sea-wall,  cannot  but  appreciate  the  beauty 
of  the  scene.  Seaward  lies  Sumter,  with  a 
fleet  of  vessels,  large  and  small,  passing  to 
and  fro  around  the  fortress.  On  the  right  is 
James'  Island,  with  the  grove  of  giant  pine 
trees,  known  as  the  Hundred  Pines,  standing- 
out  in  bold  relief  against  the  sky  ;  whilst,  look- 
ing up  the  Ashley,  a  view  is  obtained  of  a 
beautiful  river,  with  banks  lined  with  groves 
of  magnolia  and  live  oaks. 

King  Street  is  the  Broadway  of  Charles- 
ton, where  the  traveller  can  supply  himself 
from  stores  well  filled  with  every  commo- 
dity. 

The  markets  form  a  point  of  interest,  and 
should  be  visited.  On  Saturday  night  the 
scene  presented  is  curious,  and  peculiarly 
Charlestonian. 

There  are  several  beautiful  drives  in  the 
environs  of  Charleston  ;  to  Magnolia  Ceme- 
tery,— to  Lowndes'  Avenue,  to  Belvidere, — 
to  the  Four  Mile  House,  and  to  the  Ship-yard. 
The  roads,  in  most  places,  are  bordered  by 
live  oaks,  magnolias,  and   pines,  from  whose 


^6  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

branches  hang  masses  of  gray  moss,  present- 
ing a  most  unique  appearance — whilst,  in  the 
Spring,  the  hedges  are  filled  with  wild  flow- 
ers— the  beautiful  Cherokee  rose  and  yellow 
jessamine  growing  in  tropical  profusion,  and 
cHmbing  high  among  the  branches  of  the 
trees. 

The  Charleston  phosphates  afford  interest 
to  the  agriculturist  and  the  naturalist,  who 
should  not  fail  to  visit  the  region  of  theif 
whereabouts.  A  recent  work  says : 

"  In  this  region  are  found  the  most  won- 
derful remains  of  ancient  and  extinct  species 
of  animals.  There  are  whole  acres  richly 
studded  with  fossils.  Among  these  have  been 
recognized  the  bones  of  the  Mammoth,  Mas- 
todon, Megatherium,  Mylodon,  Megalonyx, 
Phocodon,  and  several  varieties  of  the  Sauri; 
also  teeth  and  bones  of  the  shark,  and  numer- 
ous other  fishes  in  great  variety ;  also  teeth 
and  bones  of  the  horse,  dog,  sheep,  ox  and 
hog,  differing  but  little,  if  at  all,  from  those 
belonging  to  our  present  domestic  animals. 
Pieces  of  pottery  have  been  discovered  com- 
bined with  stone  hatchets,  etc.,  in  the  same 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  77 

bed,  and  almost  identical  in  their  character 
with  remains  of  the  extinct  animals,  etc., 
found  some  years  since,  near  Abbeville,  in 
France.  It  is  said  that  human  bones  were 
found,  but  the  evidence  to  that  effect  is  not 
positive.  This  strange  collection,  this  sepul- 
alire  of  the  ages,  where  animals,  now  extinct, 
sleep  side  by  side  with  others ;  the  ancestors, 
perhaps,  of  our  daily  companions — where  men, 
beasts,  reptiles  and  fishes,  would  seem  to  have 
found  a  common  grave — these  fossils  occur  in 
the  post-pleiocene  strata.  They  have  been 
described  in  the  scientific  journals  by  Pro- 
fessor Holmes,  whose  articles  attracted  many 
savans ;  among  them,  Agassiz,  Count  Portalis 
and  Leidy." 

A  visit  to  the  Phosphate  works  in  the  vici- 
nity of  the  city,  will  well  repay  one.  The 
rock  can  be  procured  in  Charleston,  without 
the  labor  of  a  journey  to  the  diggings.  The 
trade  in  fertilizers  has  assumed  extensive  pro- 
portions. Since  its  discovery,  its  production 
has  reached  a  figure  representing  several 
millions  of  dollars  annually. 

No  one  should   leave  Charleston   without 


^8  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

visiting  the  numerous  points  of  interest  in  the 
harbor,  made  memorable  by  the  stubborn  con- 
flicts between  the  Confederates  and  the  forces 
of  the  Federal  Army  and  Navy.  The  excur- 
sion to  Forts  Sumter  and  Moultrie,  and  to 
the  batteries  on  Morris,  Sullivan  and  James' 
Islands,  is  a  delightful  one,  and  can  be  safely 
made  in  the  comfortable  yacht  Eleanor,  which 
makes  several  trips  daily  from  the  Florida 
Steamship  Wharf. 

SAVANNAH. 

The  visitor  will  find  Savannah  a  beautiful 
city,  abounding  in  pleasant  walks  and  drives. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  cities  of  the 
South ;  one  which  does  an  enormous  business 
in  merchandize,  cotton  and  lumber.  Its 
wharves,  during  most  of  the  year,  are  crowd- 
ded  with  vessels. 

The  situation  of  Savannah,  her  perfect  rail- 
road facilities,  etc.,  guarantees  her  a  brilhant 
future.  She  already  receives  nearly  one  sixth 
of  the  cotton  crop,  and  new  avenues  to  trade 
are  constantly  increasing.     Much  of  the  pros- 


o 


< 

> 
< 

1-4" 
O 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  79 

perity  of  the  city  can  be  directly  traced  to  the 
liberal  course  pursued  by  the  manager  of  her 
great  railroad,  "  The  Georgia  Central."  This 
road,  with  its  branches  and  connections,  keeps 
up  constant  communication  with  Augusta, 
Macon,  Atlanta,  Columbus,  Montgomery,  and 
New  Orleans,  etc. ;  it  is  pronounced  to  be  the 
best-managed  road  in  the  Southern  country. 

Savannah  possesses  several  excellent  hotels 
— the  Pulaski,  long  considered  one  of  the  best 
at  the  South,  has  recently  been  put  in  com- 
plete order — refurnished,  and  many  improve- 
ments made  in  its  interior.  On  the  oppo- 
site side  of  Johnson  Square,  will  be  found  the 
Screven  House,  which  shares  with  the  Pulas- 
ki a  well-deserved  popularity.  It  is  admira- 
bly kept. 

The  Pavilion, — beautifully  situated  on  Bull 
Street,  is  now  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Fernandez, 
whom  visitors  to  the  Pulaski  in  former  years 
will  no  doubt  remember.  It  is  spoken  of  as 
excellently  kept ;  and  its  charges,  ,as  will  be 
seen  from  the  advertisement,  are  moderate. 


8o  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

Savannah  derives  its  principal  beauty  from 
Its  wide  streets  flanked  with  magnificent 
trees.  The  oak,  the  magnolia,  and  the  Pride 
of  India,  shade  the  way  to  pedestrians,  making 
walking  agreeable.  Forsyth  Park  is  un- 
doubtedly one  of  the  prettiest  spots  in  Amer- 
ica ;  it  is  a  favorite  resort  of  the  beau-monde  of 
the  city.  At  early  evening  the  visitor  will 
see  the  loveliest  faces;  such  beauties  as  will 
compare  favorably  with  those  of  Baltimore. 

Several  pleasant  excursions  can  be  made 
from  Savannah  ;  one  to  Bonaventure,  a  beau- 
tiful cemetery,  shaded  by  the  most  remarka- 
ble grove  of  live-oaks  in  the  world.  Those 
splendid  trees  flank  the  avenues;  their 
branches  interlacing  high  overhead,  thus  form- 
ing arches  whose  symmetry  is  admirable. 
From  every  branch  hang  festoons  of  Spanish 
moss,  looking  as  though  the  whole  grove 
were  draped  in  mourning  in  respect  to  the 
dead  who  repose  within  their  everlasting 
shadow.  The  place  is  beautiful  beyond  des- 
cription ;  it  impresses  the  visitor  with  gloomy 
thoughts ;  one  feels  relieved  when,  emerging 
therefrom,  he  visits  Thunderbolt,  where    on 


FORSYTH  PARK,  SAVANNAH. 


(To  face  p.  Ml).) 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  8 1 

the  pleasant  bank  of  the  Vernon  river  his 
gloom  is  soon  overcome.  The  oysters  found 
there  are  excellent,  and  a  lunch  or  dinner  can 
at  all  times  be  obtained.  The  ladies  need  not 
be  afraid  of  the  milk-punches;  they  form  a 
specialty  of  the  place,  and  their  fair  sisters  of 
Savannah  consider  them  "quite  the  thing." 

White  Bluff,  ten  miles  from  the  city,  is 
reached  by  an  excellent  well-shaded  road  ;  a 
da}^  can  be  agreeably  spent  there.  Fish  din- 
ners are  the  speciality  at  Mrs.  Sylvester's ; 
they  are  such  as  Greenwich  never  gave  to 
Londoners. 

From  Charleston  and  Savannah,  the  fine 
New  York  built  Steamers  "Dictator"  and 
"  City  Point  "  furnish  a  tri-weekly  line  to  Flor- 
ida. We  do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  the 
route  the  cheapest,  safest  and  only  comfort- 
able way  of  reaching  the  different  resorts  in 
that  State.  By  any  other  route,  many  changes 
of  conveyance  are  made  imperative  ;  causing 
great  inconvenience  and  suffering  to  the  in- 
valid traveller.  By  embarking  on  the  "  Dic- 
tator" or  "City  Point"  this  is  avoided,  and  the 
visitor  is  landed,  without  change  of  convey- 


82  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

ance  at  the  very  doors  of  the  principal  hotels 
of  Florida.  The  steamers  proceed  directly 
to: — 

Fernandina, 

Jacksonville, 

Magnolia, 

Green  Cove  Springs, 

Picolata, 

Tocoi, 

Palatka, 

Connecting  with  cars  at  Tocoi  for — 

St.  Augustine, 

And  at  Palatka  with  comfortable  steamers 
for — 

Enterprise, 

Mellonville, 

Sanford, 

and  the  Indian  River  Country,  as  well  as  with 
boats  for  the  Oclawaha  River 

These  steamers  are  prepared  expressly  for 
the  Florida  route,  and  are  unsurpassed  for 
speed,  safety,  and  comfort.  They  are  under 
the  command  of  experienced  officers,  Cap- 
tains Vogel  and  Fitzgerald,  who   have   spent 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  83 

most  of  their  life  on  this  route,  never  mcetinir 
with  an  accident  during  the  many  years  of 
their  service  thereon. 

A  large  sum  was  spent,  last  summ.er,  in  re- 
fitting these  vessels  with  new  boilers,  and  in 
supplying  them  with  the  latest  improvements 
for  comfort  and  convenience.  The  state- 
rooms are  clean  and  comfortable,  whilst  the 
table  is  provided  with  every  luxury  that 
Charleston,  Savannah,  and  Florida  markets 
can  produce. 

Leaving  Charleston  in  the  evening,  the 
steamers  arrive  at  Savannah  earl^^  in  the 
morning,  and  leave  soon  after  for  Fernandina. 
Possessing  great  speed,  they  rapidl}^  run  along 
the  Sea  Islands  of  Georgia ;  and,  as  westerly 
winds  prevail  during  the  wdnter,  the  traveler 
is — from  the  smoothness  of  the  sea,  and  the 
balmy  temperature  of  the  air — reminded  of 
the  Mediterranean.  The  effect  is  beneficial  to 
the  invalid,  whose  strength  is  renewed,  and 
appetite  increased  by  the  change  ;  so  much  so, 
as  to  do  justice  to  the  excellent  meals  supplied 
by  the  steamers.  New  York  supplies  them 
with  beef,  mutton,  and  poultry  ;  whilst  Florida, 


84  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

Georgia,  and  South  Carolina,  are  put  under 
contribution  for  fish  and  game. 

We  have  known  several  persons  who,  for 
months  before  leaving  home,  were  unable  to 
eat  a  good  repast,  heartily  enjoy  their  meals 
during  the  entire  trip  from  Charleston  to 
Florida,  arriving  at  their  destination  much  im- 
proved, and  in  striking  contrast  to  others  who 
were  half  the  winter  in  recovering  from  the 
fatigues  of  reaching  the  St.  John's  river  by 
land. 

A  uniform  temperature  is  kept  up  in  the  sa- 
loons and  state-rooms  of  the  vessels,  which  are 
heated  by  steam.  This  will  be  appreciated 
by  those  who  have  experienced  the  varied 
temperature  in  railway  cars,  heated  by  a 
stove. 

The  decks  of  the  "  Dictator,"  and  "  City 
Point,"  in  the  traveling  season,  present  an  ani- 
mated appearance,  as  the  vessel  glides  along 
the  coast  of  Georgia.  The  passengers  group 
about,  conversing  on  the  subject  of  their  voy- 
age ;  listening  to  the  experience  of  those  who 
are  familiar  with  the  localities  to  be  visited  ; 
or  whiling  away  the  hours  playing  cards  or 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  85 

chess,  etc.  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadel- 
phia, are  often  found  represented  in  the  same 
party  ;  and  under  the  pleasant  influences  of  the 
southern  air,  good  fellowship  prevails.  The 
invalids,  who  find  themselves  in  better  health 
and  spirits,  propose  hunting  and  fishing  par- 
ties to  the  Indian  River,  and  elsewhere.  In- 
deed, the  very  nature  of  the  conversation,  and 
the  hopeful  looks  of  the  sufferers,  tell,  already, 
the  effects  of  the  climate. 


FERNANDINA. 

In  the  evening,  the  steamer  reaches  Fer- 
nandina,  which  is  beautifully  situated  on  Ame- 
lia Island.  It  possesses  an  excellent  harbor, 
easy  of  access  to  vessels  of  large  tonnage  ;  it 
has  a  considerable  and  increasing  trade  in 
cotton  and  lumber.  It  is  the  terminus  of  the 
railroad  to  Cedar  Keys,  where  a  line  of 
steamers  connects  it  with  Havana  and  New 
Orleans. 

The  Ridell  House  and  Norwood  House  arc 
well-kept  establishments. 

From   Fernandina,  the  traveler  can    reach 


86  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

Quincy,  Tallahassee,  Live  Oak  and  other 
points  on  the  interior,  by  the  "  Jacksonville, 
Pensacola,  and  Mobile  Railroad." 


ST.   JOHN'S   RIVER. 

A  FEW  hours  after  leaving-  Fernandina,  the 
steamer  enters  the  beautiful  St.  John's.  Near 
the  entrance  is  to  be  seen  the  St.  John's  Bluff, 
the  site  of  Fort  Caroline,  and  of  the  scenes 
rendered  memorable  by  the  massacres  of 
Spaniard  and  Huguenot.  The  officers  of  the 
steamers  are  well  versed  in  the  history  of  the 
country,  and  are  willing  to  impart  much  in- 
teresting information  to  the  traveler.  They 
will  always  be  found  ready  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  the  travelers,  and  to  make  the  trip  a 
comfortable  and  pleasant  one.  Ladies  and 
children  are  especially  cared  for  by  an  atten- 
tive stewardess,  whose  duty  it  is  to  see  that 
their  wants  are  supplied. 

The  trip  up  the  St.  John'.s  is  unlike  any 
other — the  river  presenting  scenes  entirely 
novel.  The  stream  is  in  most  places  two  miles 
in   width,  and  often   spreads  out   into   great 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


^7 


lakes  from  twelve  to  twenty  miles  wide.  The 
St.  John's  is  undoubtedly  the  most  beautiful 
of  southern  rivers,  and  was  well  named  by  the 
Indians  "  the  String  of  Pearls."  The  steamer 
makes  the  trip  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  to 
Palatka  in  about  six  hours,  stopping  at  all  the 
principal  landings,  which  we  shall  now  des- 
cribe. 

JACKSONVILLE. 

This  is  the  most  important  town  in  Florida, 
and  is  the  great  entrepot  of  the  trade  'of  the 
middle  and  eastern  sections  of  the  State.  Its 
communication  with  the  interior  is  perfect, 
not  onl}^  by  the  St.  John's  River,  but  also  by 
an  extended  line  of  railway,  connecting  it  with 
Tallahassee  and  other  important  places.  Were 
this  road  and  its  branches  managed  in  the  in- 
terest of  Jacksonville,  a  very  large  cotton 
trade  would  centre  here  ;  but,  at  present,  the 
strange  spectacle  is  presented  of  an  important 
sea-port,  the  natural  outlet  of  the  product  of 
an  enormous  extent  of  the  finest  cotton-fields 
in  the  South,  doing  comparatively  nothing  in 
the  great  staple.  We  learn  an  effort  is  being 
made  by  the  merchants  of  Jacksonville,  which 


88  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

cannot  but  receive  the  support  of  every  one 
interested  in  the  future  of  the  city  and  state, 
to  brinor  back  to  its  natural  channel  a  business 
which  would  create  a  degree  of  prosperity 
little  dreamed  of.  As  it  is,  Jacksonville  can 
boast  the  most  progressive  business  commu- 
nity of  any  town  of  its  size  in  the  South,  and 
the  rapid  strides  it  has  made  within  the  past 
few  years,  would  do  credit  to  any  city  of  the 
North  or  West. 

Jacksonville  is  the  centre  of  the  great  lum- 
ber trade  of  Florida  ;  it  employs  an  immense 
number  of  vessels  carrying  cargoes  of  South- 
ern pine  to  all  parts  of  the  world.  These,  and 
the  innumerable  steamers  pl^'ing  on  the  St. 
John's,  gives  the  river  a  most  animated  and 
agreeable  appearance. 

During  the  past  two  years,  the  number  of 
visitors  to  Jacksonville  has  doubled  ;  but,  for- 
tunately the  hotel  accommodations  have  kept 
pace  with  the  demand. 

The  Grand  National  is  an  excellent  Hotel  re- 
cently completed  and  admirably  situated,  com- 
manding an  extended  view  of  the  river.  Its 
proprietor,  Mr.  McGinley  is  a  celebrated  host 
at  the  South. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  89 

The  "  St.  James  "  is  a  fine  building,  of  im- 
posing appearance,  capable  of  accommodating 
about  three  hundred  guests.  It  contains 
many  large,  well  furnished,  and  comfortable 
apartments,  and  is  very  highly  spoken  of. 
Its  present  proprietor  is  Mr.  J.  B.  Campbell, 
of  Massachusetts,  which  fact  alone  will  carry  to 
it  many  guests. 

The  "  Me.tropohtan,"  situated  close  to  the 
landing  place  of  the  Florida  steamers,  is  also  a 
new  hotel,  well  appointed  and  admirably  kept. 

There  are  also  numerous  boarding  houses, 
said  to  be  exceedingly  good,  and  where  the 
prices  are  reasonable.  The  best  are  said  to 
be,  Mrs.  Hudnall's,  St.  John's  House  ;  INIrs. 
Buffington's;  Mrs.  Atkins',  and  Mrs.  Day's; 
whilst  the  "  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph "  have  a 
house  apart  from  their  Academy,  where  a 
moderate  number  can  be  accommodated  and 
made  very  comfortable. 

The  traveler  will  be  able  to  spend  the  time 
very  agreeably  at  Jacksonville.  There  is  a 
daily  communication  with  the  North,  and  let- 
ters and  newspapers  are  regularly  received. 
The  telegraph  is  also  in  operation,  affording. 


^O  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

at  all  times,  the  means  of  immediate  intelli- 
gence. At  the  "Ambler  Bank"  one  can  ne- 
gotiate his  business,  whilst  Adams'  Express  is 
at  hand  to  take  charge  of  the  parcels.  Boat- 
ing, sailing,  and  drives  to  the  pleasant  suburbs 
of  the  town,  will  help  to  wile  away  the  days. 

Before  leaving  for  the  interior,  it  would  be 
well  to  provide  such  little  supplies  as  old 
travelers  are  wont  to  make.  The  gentlemen 
will  find  at  Bettelini  and  Togni's  an  excellent 
supply  of  wines  and  delicacies.  This  is  ex- 
plained, when  we  say  they  have  one  or  two 
vessels  trading  between  Jacksonville  and 
France,  bringing  them  an  unadulterated  sup- 
ply of  various  kinds.  The  ladies  will  find  at 
Furchgott,  Benedict  &  Co.'s  a  good  selection 
of  dry  goods,  etc. ;  and  at  Greenleaf 's,  a  stock 
of  Florida  curiosities,  from  which  selections  of 
souvenirs  of  their  trip  can  be  obtained,  such 
as  alligator  teeth,  St.  Augustine  sea-beans, 
curlew  wings,  plumes  for  hats,  etc.,  etc. 

ST.  JOHN'S   RIVER. 

The  trip  up  the  river  is  one  of  the  most 


GUIDE  TO  FLORJDA.  9 1 

delightful  possible.  By  the  \va3%  it  should 
not  be  forgotten  that  "  up  the  river,"  is  down 
the  river,  as  the  St.  John's  rises  in  the  Ever- 
glades south,  and  flows  almost  due  north  ;  the 
reverse  of  the  course  pursued  by  most  rivers 
in  the  world. 

The  shores  of  the  St.  John's  are  wanting  in 
what  forms  the  great  beauty  of  the  Hudson — 
the  hills  and  mountains,  to  enhance  the  grand- 
cur  of  the  landscape.  Here  the  banks  seldom 
rise  more  than  twenty  feet  above  its  placid 
waters.  The  scene  is,  however,  most  pictur- 
esque;  and,  as  the  steamer  glides  over  the 
mirror-like  surface,  the  passengers  are  loud 
in  their  expressions  of  admiration.  From 
time  to  time  groves  of  orange  trees,  cov- 
ered with  golden  fruit,  are  passed  —  the  con- 
trast between  them  and  the  forests  of  oak, 
pine,  and  cypress,  which  fringe  the  shores, 
making  an  agreeable  variety. 


MANDARIN. 


Mandarin,  the  first  landing-place  of  any  im- 
portance, is  a  small  village  on  the  east  bank, 


Q2  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

nearly  an  hour's  sail  from  Jacksonville.  It  is 
one  of  the  earliest  settlements,  but  suffered 
much  during  the  Indian  troubles.  It  pos- 
sesses several  fine  orange  groves,  one  of  the 
finest  of  which  belongs  to  Mrs.  Harriet 
Beecher  Stowe,  who  spends  her  winters  here. 
Several  Indian  mounds  are  to  be  found  in  the 
neighborhood. 

HIBERNIA. 

Hibernia,  about  8  miles  further  on,  is  one 
of  the  most  pleasant  resorts.  Mrs.  Fleming 
has  here  an  excellent  house.  The  country 
about  abounds  in  beautiful  groves  of  oak,  etc. 

MAGNOLIA. 

Magnolia,  27  miles  from  Jacksonville,  on 
the  west  bank,  is  a  prepossessing  place,  which 
possesses  an  excellent  and  well -patronized 
hotel,  one  much  resorted  to  by  Northern 
visitors. 

GREEN   COVE   SPRINGS. 

On  rounding  Magnolia  Point,  the  steamer 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


93 


enters  a  beautiful  bay  where,  in  full  view,  lies 
Green  Cove  Springs,  the  Saratoga  of  the 
St.  John's.  It  is  already  a  favorite  resort, 
which  possesses  several  of  the  best  hotels  in 
Florida.  Its  importance  is  assured;  and  sev- 
eral wealthy  families  have  expressed  the  in- 
tention of  building  winter  residences  in  its 
neighborhood. 

The  "  Clarendon  House  "  is  admirably  kept 
by  Harris,  Applegate  &  Co.  It  has  attached 
to  it  the  celebrated  Warm  Sulphur  Spring — 
the  great  attraction  to  the  place.  The  spring 
discharges  3,000  gallons  of  water  per  minute, 
at  a  temperature  of  78°.  This  water  is  said 
to  be  as  valuable  for  its  medicinal  properties  as 
that  of  Sharon  or  Richfield,  and  is  reported  to 
have  effected  many  remarkable  cures.  The 
"  Union  House  "  is  also  a  first-class  hotel,  ex- 
tensively patronized  by  New  Yorkers  and 
Bostonians. 

PICOLATA. 

Picolata  is  the  site  of  a  Spanish  settlement, 
made  shortly  after  the  founding  of  St.  Agus- 
tine.     It  consists  of  but  one  house. 


94 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


TOCOI. 


Tocoi  is  the  terminus  of  the  St.  Augustine 
Railroad  ;  it  is  here  that  passangers  for  that 
city  disembark.  The  road  in  question,  we 
learn,  has  been  put  in  good  order,  and  the 
managers  promise  a  quick  and  comfortable 
transit  to  the  ancient  city. 

ORANGE   MILLS. 

is  about  65  miles  from  Jacksonville,  and  is 
prettily  located  on  the  east  bank.  Mr.  Cole's 
residence  here  is  surrounded  by  orange 
groves. 

PALATKA. 

Palatka,  the  terminus  of  the  route  of  the 
"Dictator"  and  "  City  Point,"  is  a  flourishing 
town  of  about  fifteen  hundred  inhabitants.  It 
is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  St.  John's, 
75  miles  from  Jacksonville.  Passengers,  bound 
beyond,  are  transferred  to  the  steamer  "  Star- 
light "  and  other  boats  bound  for  Enterprise, 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  q^ 

Mellonville,  Indian  River,  etc.,  as  well  as  for 
all  other  points  on  the  Ocklawaha.  Palatka 
is  highly  recommended  by  physicians  as  a 
resort  for  invalids. 

Palatka  possesses  two  excellent  hotels— the 
"  St.  John's  "  and  the  ''  Putnam  House."  A 
recent  writer  in  Harper  s  thus  describes  his 
experience  at  the  former.  Arriving-  at  Pa- 
latka he  found  the  "  Starlight "  so  crowded 
that  no  state-room  was  to  be  had. 

"  This  apparent  misfortune  proved  our 
greatest  happiness  ;  for,  lying  over  at  Palatka, 
at  the  St.  John's  Hotel,  we  obtained  dehcious 
food  wherewith  to  assuage  the  pangs  of  hun- 
ger. Think  not,  good  reader,  this  is  an  un- 
necessary exhibition  of  feeling  over  a  small 
matter ;  for  great  had  been  our  suffering,  and 
great  was  our  delight.  Delicious  waffles, 
noble  wild  turkey  (nobly  served),  tender  lamb, 
adolescent  chicken,  light,  sweet  bread,  pota- 
toes, green  pease,  and  other  delicacies  that 
ravished  the  heart  and  made  glad  the  diges- 
tive apparatus." 

The  same  writer  describes  the  trip  on  the 
"  Starlight  "  to  Enterprise  thus  : 


96 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


"As  the  steamer  plowed  along  its  narrow 
channels,  the  water  rushing  in  to  fill  the 
vacuum  she  made,  would  sway  the  countless 
lily-pads  and  bending  terns  to  and  fro,  some- 
times baptizing  them  with  its  generous  flood. 
The  forest  trees  were  the  same  all  along  the 
way.  Cypress,  maple,  pine,  and  live-oak, 
while  the  palmetto  would  sometimes  choke 
out  the  other  growths,  and  send  forth,  for 
acres  around,  its  umbrella-shaped  tops.  The 
vines  grew  everywhere,  and  along  the  banks 
would  trail  in  masses,  sweeping  the  dark 
waters  with  their  leafy  fringe.  Often  the 
dead,  gaunt  form  of  some  tOAvering  pine 
would  rise  above  its  fellows ;  and  here  the  os- 
prey  would  leave  his  nest,  secure  from  harm  ; 
and  then,  sitting  upon  some  outstretched  limb, 
would  dash  from  his  height  into  the  waters 
and  bear  his  prey  aloft  to  his  waiting  offspring. 

"  Now  and  then  the  steamer  would  shoot 
into  a  more  open  space,  and  where  there  did 
not  appear  to  be  any  outlet — where  the  bow 
of  the  boat  seemed  about  to  be  crushed 
against  the  land  ;  but  it  parted  before  us,  and 
what  appeared  to  have  been  the  solid  earth 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  gj 

was  but  a  floating  island,  which  went  dancing- 
and  torn  in  the  wake  behind  us,  its  long  roots 
thrown  up  to  the  troubled  surface  of  the 
water.  At  every  turn  in  the  river  —  and  it 
had  an  endless  twist  and  turn — the  tall  forms 
of  the  blue-and-white  heron  would  rise  from 
the  shallow  waters  and  fly  before  us. 

"  Thousands  of  ducks  were  feeding  among 
the  water  plants  ;  and  not  seldom  it  was  a 
comical  sight  when,  coming  suddenly  upon 
them,  they  would  attempt  to  rise  ;  but,  too  fat 
to  achieve  speedy  flight,  would  tremble  and 
flutter,  and  finally  scamper  away  into  the  tall 
weeds.  Later  in  the  day,  the  sun  came  out, 
and  then  the  torpid  bodies  of  huge  alligators 
would  be  seen  lying  on  the  banks.  To  me  the 
most  charming  feature  of  the  trip  to  Enter- 
prise was  the  presence  of  the  large  birds  I  saw 
for  the  first  time.  Nothing  could  be  more 
beautiful  than  the  flocks  of  white  swan,  curlew, 
cygnets,  and  heron  constantly  rising  before 
us." 

S 


gS  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


ENTERPRISE. 

Enterprise  possesses  a  large  well  -  kept 
hotel,  the  Brock.  House,  the  head-quarters 
of  the  sportsmen  who  rendezvous  here  to 
perfect  their  arrangements  for  excursions  into 
the  surrounding  country.  Small  steamers 
sail-boats,  etc.,  can  be  chartered  there  at 
moderate  rates,  with  experienced  persons  to 
guide  the  stranger  through  the  hunting- 
grounds,  or  to  the  best  fisheries  on  Indian 
River. 

No  part  of  the  United  States,  nor  of 
North  America,  affords  finer  sport  than 
Florida.     Game  of  all  kinds  abounds. 

It  is  during  the  cold  season,  when  the 
northern  sportsmen  are  confined  indoors, 
that  the  game  is  most  plentiful  in  Florida. 
Deer,  bear,  wild  cat,  raccoon,  'possum,  wild 
turkey,  ducks,  geese,  snipe,  woodcock,  quails, 
partridge,  and  curlews,  are  plentiful,  and  offer 
fine  hunting ;  while  the  rivers,  bays,  and  lakes, 
invite  the  stranger  to  the  pleasures  of  the  rod, 
filled  as  they  are  with  schools  of  the  finest  fish. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  99 

Enterprise  is  200  miles  south  of  Jacksonville. 
Its  climate  is,  consequently,  much  milder — 
frost  being  almost  unknown. 

In  the  vicinity  are  some  fine  orange  groves, 
whilst  a  remarkable  sulphur  spring,  of  great 
extent,  and  nearly  a  hundred  feet  in  depth,  is 
the  curiosity  of  the  place. 

On  the  opposite  shore  of  Lake  Munroe  is 


MELLONVILLE. 

ISIellonville  affords  good  accommodation  to 
the  visitor.  It  possesses  several  hotels  and 
boarding-houses.  Its  orange  groves  are 
among  the  largest  and  most  productive  in 
Florida. 


lOO  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA 


SANFORD. 

Extending  from  Mellon ville,  five  miles  along 
Lake  Munroe,  and  down  the  St.  John's,  is 
"  Sanford's  Grant."  It  is  owned  by  Henry  S. 
Sanford,  our  former  Minister  to  Belgium. 
He  has  located  here  the  town  of  Sanford, 
which  commands  the  traffic  of  the  river, 
and  the  rich  agricultural  country  back  of  it. 
It  is  destined  to  be  the  most  important  place  in 
the  Upper  St.  John's.  Mr.  Sanford  has  laid 
out  roads,  built  mills,  and  brought  over  near 
one  hundred  Swedes,  who  have  formed  a 
flourishing  colony,  where  they  have  secured 
permanent  labor,  and  demonstrated  the  health- 
fulness  of  the  climate.  Mr.  Sanford  has 
large  plantations  of  bananas ;  one  of  which, 
St.  Gertrude,  is  of  lOO  acres,  the  largest  on 
the  Continent.  His  idea  is  to  prove  that 
capital,  applied  to  the  production  of  semi- 
tropical   fruits   in    Florida,  will   not  only  be 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  1 01 

remunerative,  but  that  Florida  can  make  us 
independent  of  the  world  for  those  products. 

At  Sanford  is  located  the  INIellonville  Post- 
office.  There  is  a  fine  Episcopal  Church, 
with  the  onl}^  spire  to  be  seen  between  Key 
West  and  St.  Augustine.  Its  parsonage  is 
nearly  completed.  It  is  being-  erected  by 
Mrs.  Sanford,  who  is  helped  by  friendly  con- 
tributions. A  large  school-house  is  to  be 
erected  there;  and  a  first-class  hotel,  in  con- 
templation, will  be  located  near  the  Warm 
Sulphur  Springs  of  St  Gertrude. 

One  of  these  springs,  which  made  its  ap- 
pearance in  January,  1872,  is  said  to  be  of 
greater  volume  than  that  at  Green  Cove 
Springs.  The  salubriousness  and  mildness  of 
the  climate  of  Sanford,  the  beauty  of  the 
country,  its  miles  of  lovely  drives  through 
the  pine  openings,  interspersed  with  beautiful 
lakes,  with  unbounded  resources  for  the 
sportsman,  etc.,  points  this  out  as  destined  to 
be  a  favorite  place  of  resort  for  the  Northerner 
who  seeks  health,  combined  with  relaxation, 
from  business. 

As  for  the  orange,  the   experience  of  the 


I02  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

past  few  years  has  demonstrated  that  the 
south  side  of  Lake  Miinroe  is  the  best  por- 
tion, on  the  St.  John's,  for  its  culture,  as  it  is 
protected  from  the  north  wind  by  that  large 
body  of  tepid  water  beyond  the  reach  of  in- 
jurious frosts. 

Back  of  Sanford  are  several  groves  much 
frequented  by  visitors,  and  said  to  produce 
$2,000  worth  of  oranges  per  acre.  Many  new 
groves  are  being  laid  out,  in  and  about  the 
place. 

ST.   AUGUSTINE. 

We  must  now  return  to  Tocoi,  and  take 
the  cars  for  St.  Augustine.  On  a  fine  day, 
the  three  hours'  ride  through  the  pines  is  a 
pleasant  one. 

St.  Augustine,  historically,  is  the  most 
interesting  city  in  Florida,  while  its  quaint 
appearance  makes  it  different  from  any  other 
city  in  the  land.  It  was  an  important  town 
half  a  century  before  the  landing  of  the  pil- 
grims. In  the  preceding  chapters,  the  reader 
will  find  recorded  most  ol  the  important 
events  which  mark  its  history. 


FOKTIFICATION  IN  ST.  AUGUSTINE. 


(To  face  p.  10a.» 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  103 

The  St.  Augustine  Hotel  and  the  Mag- 
nolia House  are  the  principal  ones  ;  they 
are  excellently  kept.  Numerous  boarding- 
houses  also  afford  good  accommodation,  at 
moderate  prices. 

St.  Augustine  is  the  point-de-mire  of  Florida. 
To  visit  the  State,  without  seeing  its  quaint 
old  city,  would  be  like  traveling  through  Italy 
without  entering  the  gates  of  Rome. 

St.  Augustine  is  unlike  any  other  city  of 
this  continent ;  yet,  it  must  be  acknowledged 
that,  the  innovations  are  gradually  effacing  its 
Spanish  or  Moresque  peculiarities.  Already 
the  customs  are  Americanized  ;  the  Spanish 
cavalier  is  of  the  past,  so  is  the  duena,  and 
the  senorita,  whom  she  so  carefully  guarded. 

But  there  are  monuments  of  its  founders 
which  have  withstood  time,  and  whose  soli- 
dity of  construction  has  not  been  affected  by 
the  elements — monuments  which  tell  of  past 
glories,  and  of  the  high  state  of  the  military 
art  of  engineering,  at  the  date  of  the  settle- 
ment of  St.  Augustine. 

Rev.  H.  Clay  Trumbull  describes  the  city 
as  follows : 


104 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


"  Its  principal  building  material  is  a  unique 
conglomerate  of  fine  shells  and  sand,  known  as 
coquina  rock,  found  in  large  quantities  on 
Anastasia  Island,  at  the  entrance  of  the  har- 
bor, and  which  is  easily  cut  in  blocks  to  be 
laid  in  courses,  and  perhaps  covered  over 
with  stucco.  The  streets  are  quite  narrow : 
one,  which  is  nearly  a  mile  long,  being  but 
fifteen  feet  wide,  and  that  on  which  a  principal 
hotel  stands  being  but  twelve  feet,  while  the 
widest  of  all  is  but  twenty-five  feet.  An  ad- 
vantage of  these  narrow  streets  in  this  warm 
climate  is,  that  the}'  give  shade,  and  increase 
the  draft  of  air  through  them  as  through  u 
flue.  Indeed,  some  of  the  streets  seem  almost 
like  a  flue,  rather  than  an  open  way  ;  for  many 
of  the  houses,  with  high  roof  and  dormer  win- 
dows, have  hanging  balconies  along  their 
second  story,  which  seem  almost  to  touch  each 
other  over  the  narrow  street ;  and  the  families 
sitting  in  these  of  a  warm  evening,  can  chat 
confidentially,  or  even  shake  hands  with  their 
over-the-way  neighbors. 

"  The  street  walls  of  the  houses  are  frequent- 
ly extended  in  front  of  the  side  garden — the 


"OLD  ENTRANCE  GATE,"  ST.  AUGUSTINE.  (To  face  p.  105 .> 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  I05 

house  roof,  and  perhaps  a  side  balcon}-,  cover- 
ing this  extension  ;  or  the  houses  are  built 
around  uncovered  courts,  so  that,  passing 
thi-ough  the  main  door  of  a  building,  you  find 
yourself  still  in  the  open  air,  instead  of  within 
the  dwelling.  These  high  and  solid  garden 
walls  are  quite  common  along  the  principal 
streets;  and  an  occasional  latticed  door  gives 
3'ou  a  peep  into  the  attractive  area  beyond 
the  massive  structure,  with  perhaps  a  show  of 
huge  stone  arches,  or  of  a  winding  staircase 
between  heavy  stone  columns,  or  of  a  profu- 
sion of  tropical  vegetation  in  the  winter  gar- 
den, bringing  to  mind  the  stories  in  poem  and 
romance  of  the  loves  of  Spanish  damsels,  and 
•  of  stolen  interviews  at  the  garden  gate,  or 
elopements  by  means  of  the  false  key  or  the 
bribed  porter.  The  principal  streets  were 
formerly  well  paved  or  floored  with  shell  con- 
crete, portions  of  which  are  still  to  be  seen 
above  the  shifting  sand  ;  and  this  flooring  was 
so  carefully  swept,  that  the  dark-eyed  maidens 
of  old  Castile,  who  then  led  in  society  here, 
could  pass  and  repass  without  soiling  their 
satin  slippers.  No  rumbling  wheels  were  per- 
5* 


Io6  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

mitted  to  crush  the  firm  road-bed,  or  to  whirl 
the  dust  into  the  airy  verandas,  where,  in  un- 
disturbed repose,  sat  the  indolent  Spanish 
dons  and  dames. 

"  Built  as  a  military  town,  the  city  was  for- 
merly walled  across  its  northern  end  ;  which 
sufficiently  protected  it,  as  it  stands  on  a  pen- 
insula nearly  surrounded  by  the  St.  Sebastian 
River  and  St.  Augustine  Bay.  The  gateway 
of  the  old  wall  still  stands,  and  is  quite  an  im- 
posing ruin,  with  ornamented  lofty  towers  and 
loopholed  sentry-boxes.  The  ditch  before  the 
old  wall  (or  possibly  it  was  a  stockade,  except 
at  the  gateways)  is  clearly  marked,  and  even 
yet  partially  filled  at  high  tides.  It  runs  from 
shore  to  shore,  and  was  evidently  broad  and 
deep.  The  old  fort,  once  called  San  Juan, 
then  St.  Marco,  but  now  known  as  Fort 
Marion,  is  a  curiosity.  It  stands  on  the  sea- 
front,  at  the  upper  end  of  the  town,  the  wall 
or  stockade  formerly  running  from  it  to  the 
gateway,  and  west  to  the  river.  Its  material 
is  the  inevitable  coquina  rock.  It  was  a  hun- 
dred years  in  building.  While  owned  by  the 
British,  it  was  said  to  be  the  "  prettiest  fort  in 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


107 


the  king's  dominion."  Its  castellated  battle- 
ments ;  its  formidable  bastions,  with  their 
frowning  guns;  its  lofty  and  imposing  sally- 
port, surrounded  by  the  royal  Spanish  arms  ; 
its  portcullis,  moat,  drawbridge  ;  its  circular 
and  ornate  sentry-boxes  at  each  principal  par- 
apet-angle ;  its  commanding  look-out  tower ; 
and  its  stained  and  moss-grown  massive  walls 
— impress  the  external  observer  as  a  relic  of 
the  distant  past ;  while  a  ramble  through 
its  heavy  casemates;  its  crumbling  Romish 
chapel,  with  elaborate  portico  and  inner  altar, 
and  holy- water  niches ;  its  dark  passages, 
gloomy  vaults,  and  more  recently  discovered 
dungeons— brings  you  to  ready  credence  of 
its  many  traditions  of  inquisitorial  tortures,  of 
decaying  skeletons  found  in  the  latest-opened 
chambers,  chained  to  the  rusty  ringbolts,  and 
of  alleged  subterranean  passages  to  the  neigh- 
boring convent. 

"These  stories  lose  none  of  their  force  by 
being  recited  in  the  fitful  light  of  the  dim  lamp 
of  your  military  guide,  as  you  follow  him  into 
the  damp  and  noisome  recesses  to  the  echo  of 
your  own  foot-fall,   or  the  grating  lock  and 


I08  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

creaking  hinge  of  the  slow-swinging  ancient 
doors.  Many  a  dark  tally-list  on  the  molder- 
ing  walls,  or  a  riidely-execnted  sketch,  shows 
how  the  dragging  days  were  noted  or  em- 
ployed by  weary  prisoners  of  long  ago  ;  and 
the  narrow  loopholes  are  shown  through 
which  the  two  Seminole  chiefs  attempted 
their  escape,  one  making  it  good,  and  the 
other  sticking  fast  in  the  crevice  until  he  was 
rescued  with  barely  his  life  remaining.  At 
the  time  of  Gen.  Oglethorpe's  attack  on- St. 
Augustine,  the  old  fort,  or  castle  as  it  was 
then  called,  stood  a  bombardment  of  thirty- 
eight  days  from  batteries  erected  on  Anastasia 
Island.  But  the  injury  to  the  fort  was  only 
slight  ;  for  the  spongy  walls  of  coquina  re- 
ceived and  imbedded  the  heavy  shot,  as  would 
the  embankment  of  a  modern  earthwork.  The 
marks  left  by  the  shot  are  plainly  seen  to-day. 
But  time  is  at  length  doing  its  work  with  the 
old  fort.  Its  walls  are  shovi^ing  huge  fissures, 
and  on  recent  inspection  it  was  declared  unfit 
for  further  defensive  service. 

"  In  the  buildino-s  of  the  town  are  some  re- 
mains  of  elegance,  as  well  as  inuch  of  antiquity. 


STREET  SCENE  IN  ST.  AUGUSTINE.  (To  face  p.  109.) 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  109 

The  cathedral  is  unique,  with  its  bellV}',  in  the 
form  of  a  section  of  a  bell-shaped  pyramid,  its 
chime  of  four  bells  in  separate  niches,  and  its 
clock,  together  forming  a  cross.  The  oldest 
of  these  bells  is  marked  1682.  The  old  con- 
vent of  St.  Mary's  is  a  suggestive  relic  of  the 
days  of  papal  rule.  The  new  convent  is  a 
tasteful  building  of  the  ancient  coquina.  The 
United  States'  barracks,  recently  remodeled 
and  improved,  are  said  to  have  been  built  as  a 
convent  or  monastery.  The  old  government 
house,  or  palace,  is  now  in  use  as  the  post- 
office  and  United  States'  court-rooms.  At  its 
rear  is  a  well-preserved  relic  of  what  seems  to 
have  been  a  fortification  to  protect  the  town 
from  an  over-the-river  or  inland  attack.  An 
older  house  than  this,  formerly  occupied  by 
the  attorney-general,  was  pulled  down  a  few 
years  ago.  Its  ruins  are  still  a  curiosity,  and 
are  called  (though  incorrectly)  the  governor's 
house. 

"  The  *  Plaza  de  la  Constitution  '  is  a  fine 
public  square  in  the  centre  of  the  town,  on 
which  stand  the  ancient  markets,  and  which  is 
faced   by   the   cathedral,  the  old  palace,  the 


no  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

convent,  a  modern  Episcopal  church,  and 
other  fine  structures.  In  the  centre  of  the 
plaza  stands  a  monument,  erected  in  honor  of 
the  Spanish  Liberal  Constitution.  When  the 
Constitution  was  abolished,  these  monuments 
in  all  dominions  of  the  crown  were  to  be  des- 
troyed ;  but  a  compromise  was  effected  on 
this  by  the  removal  of  the  inscribed  tablets. 
On  the  cession  of  Florida  to  the  United  States, 
the  long-concealed  tablets  were  brought  from 
their  hiding-places,  and  re-inserted  in  the 
monument.  On  this  plaza  were  burned  effi- 
gies of  John  Hancock  and  Samuel  Adams, 
early  in  our  Revolution,  while  the  British  held 
Florida. 

"  The  old  Huguenot  burying-ground  is  a 
spot  of  much  interest  ;  so  is  the  military  bury- 
ing-ground, where  rest  the  remains  of  those 
who  fell  near  here  during  the  prolonged 
Seminole  war.  Under  three  pyramids  of  co- 
quina,  stuccoed  and  whitened,  are  the  ashes 
of  Major  Dade  and  one  hundred  and  seven 
men  of  his  command,  who  were  massacred  by 
Osceola  and  his  band.  A  fine  sea-wall  of 
nearly  a  mile  in  length,  built  of  coquina  with 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA.  j  1 1 

a  coping  of  granite,  protects  the  entire  ocean 
front  of  the  city,  and  furnishes  a  delightful 
promenade  of  a  moonlight  evening.  In  full 
view  of  this  is  the  old  light-house  on  Anasta- 
si:i  Island,  built  more  than  a  century  ago,  and 
now  surmounted  with  a  fine  revolving  lantern. 

"The  street  names,  Cuna,  St.  Hypolita, 
Tolomato,  St.  George's,  and  the  like,  have  an 
ancient  and  a  foreign  smack  about  them  ;  while 
the  family  names,  such  as  Dumas,  Fatio,  Her- 
nandez, Oliverez,  Alveres,  Monardi,  Segui, 
Andrea,  Sanchez,  Medices,  and  Bravo,  mark 
it  as  any  thing  but  American  in  its  origin. 
Some  of  the  Roman  Catholic  customs  of  car- 
nival and  evening  serenades  before  Easter  are 
still  kept  up  by  the  Minoixan  population." 

''A  word  as  to  these  people,  who  constitute 
no  inconsiderable  portion  of  the  present  popu- 
lation of  St.  Augustine,  While  Florida  was 
in  possession  of  the  English,  a  Dr.  Turnbull 
went  to  Greece,  and  received  permission  to 
transport  such  families  as  chose  to  go  to 
Florida.  Obtaining  a  small  number,  not 
enough  for  his  proposed  colony,  he  halted  at 
the  Islands  of  Corsica  and    Minorca    in    the 


112  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

Mediterranean,  where  over  a  thousand  joined 
his  company.  They  landed  just  inside  of 
Mosquito  Inlet,  at  New  Smyrna,  some  seven- 
ty-five miles  south  of  St.  Augustine.  Turn- 
bull  soon  became  imperious,  and  by  the  aid  of 
a  few  immediate  friends  reduced  these  patient, 
hard-working  people  to  a  state  of  slavery,  as- 
signing them  tasks  under  overseers,  and  treat- 
ing them  in  the  most  shameful  manner.  His 
promises  of  lands  and  creature  comforts,  made 
at  the  time  of  their  joining  his  expedition, 
were  disregarded,  and  with  acquired  wealth 
came  added  austerity  and  hardships  for  these 
now  dependent  people.  Thus  for  nine  years 
they  were  in  bondage,  when,  stung  to  resist- 
ance, they  assembled  clandestinely,  and  march- 
ed in  a  body  to  St.  Augustine,  where  they 
were  kindly  received,  and  allowed  to  remain. 
They  form  a  very  quiet  class,  attentive  to 
their  own  affairs,  and  never  meddhng  with 
their  neighbors.  They  are  intelligent  and  in- 
dustrious, and  some  have  acquired  considera- 
ble property. 

"  There  are  a  few  fine  residences  in  St.  Au- 
gustine ;  and  these,  with  their  ample  surround- 


o 

H 

a 
o 

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t-" 

w 

> 

o 

I— I 

O 


GUIDE   TO  FLOBIDA. 


113 


ings  and  beautiful  gardens,  give  a  heightened 
interest  to  the  place.  Senator  Gilbert  has  a 
summer  residence  here,  the  first  as  you  enter 
the  town,  by  the  bridge,  on  the  right ;  then 
Buckingham  Smith's,  nearl}^  opposite,  and  Dr. 
Bronson's  on  the  plaza,  with  others,  are  beau- 
tiful homes.  A  profusion  of  tropical  plants, 
and  shrubs,  and  trees,  ornament  their  grounds. 
Here  the  orange  flourishes,  and  is  abundant 
and  delicious :  several  fine  groves  invite  the 
visitor's  inspection.  The  fig,  and  date,  and 
palm,  and  banana,  are  all  seen  here,  as  also 
the  lime  and  lemon,  which  grow  to  a  great 
size,  and  the  sweet  and  wild  olive ;  the  citron, 
the  guava  (from  which  a  delicious  jelly  is 
made),  and  the  pomegranate,  are  all  indige- 
nous. This  is  the  home  of  the  grape,  and 
peaches  luxuriate  in  this  climate,  as  likewise 
the  Japan  plum. 

"  Besides  the  gardens  spoken  of,  we  see  few 
flowers  ;  and  this  is  what  quite  astonishes  us 
in  this  "  land  of  flowers,"  where  they  grow  so 
easily,  and  with  so  little  care  that  there  seems 
no  excuse  why  all  the  gardens  should  not  have 
these  simple  yet  beautiful  adornings. 


114  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

*'  For  many  years  the  town  has  been  at  a 
standstill,  and  property  at  a  low  figure.  Good 
titles  can  with  difficulty  be  obtained  ;  and  this 
is  now  the  great  drawback  to  the  improve- 
ment of  the  place,  though  within  a  few  years 
Northern  people  have  been  coming  in  and 
taking  such  titles  as  were  offered.  One  gen- 
tleman, Mr.  Howard,  from  New  York,  has 
within  a  year  past  invested  near  fifty  thousand 
dollars  in  real  estate  in  the  city,  which  is  be- 
ginning to  feel  the  effects  of  this  healthful  in- 
flux, property  having  already  risen  to  four- 
fold its  value  five  years  ago,  and  still  not  high. 
The  residence  of  Senator  Gilbert,  before  al- 
luded to,  was  bought  by  him  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  as  we  are  informed,  for  about  eight 
thousand  dollars,  and  we  judge  worth  forty 
now.  This  place  has  several  acres  of  ground 
in  it. 

"  The  longer  one  remains  in  this  antique 
town,  the  more  he  is  attached  to  it:  at  teast, 
this  was  our  experience.  It  improves  on  ac- 
quaintance. The  plaza,  or  public  square, 
affords  a  pleasant  retreat  from  the  sand,  which 
everywhere  else  covers  the  place.     Here  are 


s 

o 


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a 


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< 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


115 


shade-trees,  and  the  firm  green  turf  and 
benches,  whereon  the  visitor  may  lounge  and 
idle  away  the  hours.  At  the  foot  of  the 
square,  which  fronts  on  the  bay,  is  the  market- 
house,  so  entirely  different  from  those  else- 
where seen ;  being  here  neat,  airy,  and  at- 
tractive. It  consists  of  a  roof  supported  by 
brick  pillars,  a  half-dozen  on  either  side,  with 
a  floor  of  the  same  material,  and  is  altogether 
unique  in  appearance. 

"  The  number  of  strangers  here  greatly  ex- 
ceeded our  expectations,  and  thronged  in 
every  street  and  public  place.  The  fashiona- 
ble belle  of  Newport  and  Saratoga,  and  the 
pale,  thoughtful,  and  furloughed  clerg3'man 
of  New  England,  were  at  all  points  encoun- 
tered. The  meeting  of  friends  whom  we  had 
not  seen  for  years,  and  others  whom  we  had 
never  met,  but  yet  could  call  our  name,  seem- 
ed strange  and  quite  a  dream." 


Il6  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

OCKLAWAHA    RIVER. 

At  Palatka,  the  tourist  to  Florida  will  do 
well  to  call  upon  Captain  Adams,  the  gentle- 
manly agent  of  the  Dictator  and  City  Point, 
— from  him  he  can  leflrn  how  best  to  employ 
his  time,  and  which  are  the  most  interesting 
points  to  visit.  Should  the  visitor  decide  upon 
taking  a  trip  on  the  Ocklawaha,  he  will  be 
certain  to  enjoy  a  most  nov^el  excursion  ;  of 
late  the  number  desiring  to  visit  this  romantic 
stream  has  so  increased,  that  the  owners  of 
the  steamers  have  felt  authorized  to  increase 
their  passenger  accommodations,  and  we  be- 
lieve they  are  now  quite  good. 

The  following  excellent  description  of  a 
trip  on  the  Ocklawaha  is  from  Appleton's  Pic- 
turesque America,  which  contains  the  most 
faithful  scenes  of  Florida  that  have  ever  been 
portrayed : 

"  A  sail  of  twenty  miles  along  the  St.  John's 
brought  us,  a  little  before  sunrise,  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Ocklawaha  River,  looking 
scarcely  wide  enough  to  admit  a  skiff,  much 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


117 


less  a  steamboat.  As  daylight  increased,  we 
found  that  we  were  passing  through  a  dense 
cypress-swamp,  and  that  the  channel  selected 
had  no  banks,  but  was  indicated  by  "  blazed  " 
marks  on  the  trunks  of  the  towering  trees. 
There  was  plenty  of  water,  however,  to  float 
our  craft,  but  it  was  a  queer  kind  of  navig- 
ation, for  the  hull  of  the  steamer  went  bump- 
ing against  one  cypress-butt,  then  another, 
suggesting  to  the  tyro  in  this  kind  of  aquatic 
adventure  that  possibly  he  might  be  wrecked, 
and  subjected,  even  if  he  escaped  a  watery 
grave,  to  a  miserable  death,  through  the 
agency  of  mosquitoes,  buzzards,  and  huge  al- 
ligators. 

As  we  wound  along  through  the  dense 
vegetation,  a  picture  of  novel  interest  pre- 
sented itself  at  every  turn.  We  came  occa- 
sionally to  a  spot  a  little  elevated  above  the 
dead-water  level,  covered  with  a  rank  growth 
of  lofty  palmetto,  the  very  opposite,  in  every 
respect,  to  those  stunted,  storm-blown  speci- 
mens which  greeted  us  at  the  mouth  of  the 
St.  John's  River.  Here  they  shot  up  tall  and 
slender,  bearing  aloft  innumerable  parasites, 


Il8  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

often  surprising  the  eye  with  patches,  of  a 
hah-mile  in  length,  of  the  convolvukis,  in  a 
sohcl  mass  of  beautiful  blossoms. 

Another  sharp  turn,  and  the  wreck  of  an 
old  dead  cypress  is  discovered,  its  huge  hmbs 
covered  with  innumerable  turkey-buzzards, 
which  are  waiting  patiently  for  the  decom- 
position of  an  alligator  that  some  suc- 
cessful sportsman  has  shot,  and  left  for  the 
prey  of  these  useful  but  disgusting  birds. 
The  sunshine  sparkles  in  the  spray  which  our 
awkward  yet  efficient  craft  drives  from  its 
prow,  and  then  we  enter  what  seems  to  be  a 
cavern,  where  the  sun  never  penetrates.  The 
tree-tops  interlace,  and  the  tangled  vines  and 
innumerable  parasites  have  made  a  soHd  mass 
overhead. 

The  swamps  of  Florida  are  as  rich  in  birds 
as  in  vegetation.  It  is  no  wonder  that  Audu- 
bon here  found  one  of  the  finest  fields  from 
which  to  enrich  his  great  works  of  natural 
history.  A  minute  list  of  the  varieties  we 
sometimes  saw  in  a  single  day  would  fill  a 
page.  One  of  the  most  attractive  was  the 
water-turkey,  or  snake-bird,  which  was  every- 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 


119 


where  to  be  met  with,  sitting  upon  some  pro- 
jecting limb  overlooking  the  water,  the  body 
as  carefully  as  possible  concealed  from  view, 
its  head  and  long  neck  projecting  out,  and 
moving  constantly  like  a  black  snake  in  search 
of  its  prey.  Your  curiosity  is  excited  ;  you 
would  examine  the  creature  more  critically, 
and  you  fire,  at  what  seems  a  short,  point- 
blank  shot.  The  bird  falls,  apparently  help- 
less, in  the  water  ;  you  row  rapidly  to  secure 
your  prize,  when,  a  hundred  yards  ahead,  you 
suddenly  see  the  snaky  head  of  the  "  darter  " 
just  protruding  above  the  surface  of  the 
water.  In  an  instant  its  lungs  are  filled  with 
air,  and,  disappearing  again,  it  reaches  a  place 
of  safety. 

Another  conspicuous  bird  is  the  large  white 
crane.  It  is  a  very  effective  object  in  the 
deep  shadows  of  the  cypress,  as  it  proudly 
stalks  about,  eyeing  with  fantastic  look  the 
finny  tribes  it  hunts  for  prey.  Especially  is  it 
of  service  in  seizing  upon  the  young  of  the 
innumerable  water-snakes  which  everywhere 
abound.  With  commendable  taste,  it  seems 
to  pay  especial  attention  to    the  disgusting, 


I20  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

slimy,  juvenile  moccasins,  which  have  a  taste 
for  sunninsf  themselves  on  harsh  dried  leaves 
of  the  stinted  palmetto. 

But  the  prominent  living  object  to  the 
stranger  in  these  out-of-the  way  places  is  the 
aUigator,  whose  paradise  is  in  the  swamps  of 
Florida.  Here  he  finds  a  chmate  that  almost 
the  year  round  suits  his  delicate  constitution  ; 
and,  while  his  kindred  in  the  Louisiana 
swamps  find  it  necessary  to  retire  into  the 
mud  to  escape  the  cold  of  winter,  the  Florida 
representative  of  the  tribe  is  happy  in  the  en- 
joyment of  the  upper  world  the  year  round. 
It  was  a  comical  and  a  provoking  sight  to  see 
these  creatures,  when  indisposed  to  get  out 
of  our  way,  turn  up  their  piggish  eyes  in  spec- 
ulative mood  at  the  sudden  interruption  of  a 
rifle-ball  against  their  mailed  sides,  but  all  the 
while  seemingly  unconscious  that  any  harm 
against  their  persons  was  intended.  Like 
Achilles,  however,  they  possess  a  vulnerable 
point,  which  is  just  in  front  of  the  spot  where 
the  huge  head  works  upon  the  spinal  column. 
There  is,  of  necessity,  at  this  place  a  joint  in 
the  armor,  and  a  successful  hunter,  after  much 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  121 

experience,  seldom  lets  one  of  the  reptiles  es- 
cape. If  any  philanthropist  has  ever  objected 
to  the  slaughter,  the  circumstance  is  not  re- 
membered in  the  swamps  and  everglades  of 
Florida.  On  one  occasion  we  fired  into  a 
herd  of  alligators,  and  the  noise  of  two  or 
three  shots  caused  all  but  one  to  finally  dis- 
appear. For  some  reason  it  seemed  difficult 
to  get  the  remaining  one  to  move,  the  crea- 
ture lying  with  its  head  exposed  to  our  gaze, 
looking  as  demoniac  as  possible.  A  bullet, 
\vhich  struck  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  its 
jaws,  touched  its  feeUngs,  and  then,  with  a 
grunt  not  unlike  that  of  a  hog,  it  buried  itself 
in  the  muddy  water.  This  unwillingness  to 
move  was  then  explained  by  the  appearance 
of  a  large  number  of  young  alligators,  which, 
in  the  confusion,  came  to  the  surface  like  so 
many  chips.  We  had,  without  being  aware 
of  it,  attacked  the  mother  while  she  was  pro- 
tecting her  nest. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  aHigator's  nest  we 
came  upon  a  primitive  post-office,  consisting 
of  a  cigar-box,  bearing  the  magic  letters 
"  U.  S.  M.,"  nailed  upon  the  face  of  an  old 


122  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

cypress-tree.  It  was  a  sort  of  central  point 
for  the  swampers,  where  they  left  their  soiled 
notes  and  crooked  writing  to  be  conveyed  to 
the  places  of  destination  by  "  whomever  came 
along."  We,  desiring  to  act  the  part  of  a 
volunteer  mail-carrier  for  the  neighbourhood, 
peeped  into  the  post-office,  but  there  were  no 
signs  of  letters  ;  so  our  good  intentions  were 
of  no  practical  effect. 

Our  little  nondescript  craft  bumps  along 
from  one  cypress-stump,  and  fetches  up 
against  a  cypress-knee,  as  it  is  termed — sharp- 
pointed  lances  which  grow^  up  from  the  roots 
of  the  trees,  seemingly  to  protect  the  trunk 
from  too  much  outside  concussion ;  glancing 
off,  it  runs  into  a  roosting-place  of  innumer- 
able cranes,  or  scatters  the  wild  ducks  and 
huge  snakes  over  the  surface  of  the  water.  A 
clear  patch  of  the  sky  is  seen,  and  the  bright 
light  of  a  summer  evening  is  tossing  the  feath- 
ery crowns  of  the  old  cypress-trees  into  a 
nimbus  of  glory,  while  innumerable  paro- 
quets, alarmed  at  our  intrusion,  scream  out 
their  fierce  indignation,  and  then,  flying  away, 
flash  upon  our  admiring  eyes  their  green  and 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  1 23 

golden  plumage.  It  now  begins  to  grow  dark 
in  earnest,  and  we  become  ciirions  to  know 
how  our  attentive  pilot  will  safely  navigate 
this  mysterious  channel  in  what  is  literally 
Eg3'ptian  darkness.  While  thus  speculating, 
there  flashes  across  the  landscape  a  bright, 
clear  light.  From  the  most  intense  blackness 
Ave  have  a  fierce,  lurid  glare,  presenting  the 
most  extravagantly-picturesque  groups  of 
overhanging  palmettos,  draped  with  para- 
sites and  vines  of  all  descriptions  ;  prominent 
among  the  latter  is  the  scarlet  trumpet-creep- 
er, overburdened  with  w^reaths  of  blossoms, 
and  intertwined  again  with  chaplets  of  purple 
and  white  convolvulus,  the  most  minute  de- 
tails of  the'  objects  near  being  brought  out  in 
a  sharp  red  light  against  the  deep  tone  of  the 
forest's  depths.  But  no  imagination  can  con- 
ceive the  grotesque  and  wierd  forms  which 
constantly  force  themselves  on  3'our  notice  as 
the  light  partially  illuminates  the  limbs  of 
wrecked  or  half-destroyed  trees,  which,  cov- 
ered with  moss,  or  wrapped  in  decayed  vege- 
tation as  a  winding-sheet,  seem  huge  unbur- 
ied  monsters,  which,  though  dead,  still  throw 


124  GUIDE   TO  FLOP  IDA. 

about  their  arras  in  agony,  and  gaze  througli 
unmeaning  eyes  upon  the  intrusions  of  active, 
living  men. 

Another  run  of  a  half-mile  brings  us  into 
the  cypress  again,  the  firelight  giving  ncAV 
ideas  of  the  picturesque.  The  tall  shafts, 
more  than  ever  shrouded  in  the  hanging 
moss,  look  as  if  they  had  been  draped  in  sad 
habiliments,  while  the  wind  sighed  through 
the  limbs  ;  and  when  the  sonorous  sounds  of 
the  alligators  were  heard,  groaning  and  com- 
plaining, the  sad,  dismal  picture  of  desolation 
was  complete. 

A    sharp    contact    with     a     palmetto-knee 
throws  round  the  head    of  our   nondescript 
steamer,  and  wc  enter  what  appears  to  be  an 
endless  colonnade  of  beautifully-proportioned 
shafts,  running  upward  a  hundred  feet,  roofed 
by  pendent  ornaments,  suggesting  the  high- 
est possible  effect  of  Gothic  architecture.  The 
delusion  was  increased  by  the  waving  stream- 
ers of  the  Spanish  moss,  which  here  and  there, 
in  great  festoons  of  fifty  feet  in  length,  hung 
down    like    tattered    but    gigantic    banners, 
worm-eaten  and  mouldy,  sad  evidences  of  the 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  1 25 

hopes  and  passions  of  the  distant  past.  So 
absorbing  were  these  wonderful  effects  of  a 
brilliant  light  upon  the  vegetable  productions 
of  these  Florida  swamps,  that  we  had  forgot- 
ten to  look  for  the  cause  of  this  artificial 
glare,  but,  when  we  did,  we  found  a  faithful 
negro  had  suspended  from  cranes  two  iron 
cages,  one  on  each  side  of  the  boat,  into  which 
he  constantly  placed  unctuous  pine-knots, 
that  blazed  and  crackled,  and  turned  what 
would  otherwise  have  been  unmeaning  dark- 
ness into  the  most  novel  and  exciting  views 
of  Nature  that  ever  met  our  experienced 
eyes. 

The  morning  came,  and  the  theatrical  dis- 
play of  the  swamp  by  torchlight  ended,  when 
we  were  destined  to  be  introduced  to  a  new 
feature  of  this  singular  navigation.  A  huge 
water-oak,  seemingly  in  the  very  pride  of  its 
matured  existence,  had  fallen  directly  across 
the  channel.  Its  wood  was  only  a  little  less 
hard  than  iron,  and  the  labor  to  be  performed 
to  get  this  obstruction  out  of  the  way  was 
contemplated  with  anger  by  the  captain  of 
our  craft,  and  in  sadness  by  the  "  hands,"  to 


126  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

whose  lot  fell  the  labor  of  clearing-  the  ob- 
struction away.  However,  the  order  was 
given,  and  no  inhabitant  of  the  swamp  is  in- 
experienced in  the  use  of  the  axe.  The  sturdy 
blows  fell  thick  and  fast,  as  one  limb  after  an- 
other broke  loose  from  the  parent  trunk  and 
floated  slowly  away.  The  great  butt  was  then 
assailed,  and,  by  a  judicious  choice  in  the  as- 
sault, the  weight  of  the  huge  structure  was 
made  to  assist  in  breaking  it  in  twain.  While 
this  work  was  going  on,  which  consumed  some 
hours,  we  waded — we  won't  say  ashore — but, 
from  one  precarious  foothold  to  another,  un- 
til, after  various  unpleasant  experiences — the 
least  of  which  was  getting  wet  to  our  waist  in 
the  black  water  of  the  swamp — we  reached 
land,  which  was  a  few  inches  above  the  surface 
of  the  prevailing  flood. 

We  were,  however,  rewarded  for  our  enter- 
prise, by  suddenly  coming  upon  two  "  Florida 
crackers,"  who  had  established  a  camp  in  a 
grove  of  the  finest  cypress-trees  we  ever  saw, 
and  were  appropriating  the  valuable  timber 
to  the  manufacture  of  shingles,  which  shingles, 
we  were  informed,  are  almost  as  indestructible 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  12/ 

as  slate.  These  men  were  civil,  full  of  char- 
acter, and,  in  their  way,  not  wanting  in  intel- 
liofence.  How  thev  manao;^e  to  survive  the 
discomforts  of  their  situation  is  difficult  to 
imagine,  but  the}'  do  exist;  the  mosquitoes 
drawing  from  their  bodies  ever}-  useless  drop 
of  blood,  the  low  swamp  malaria  making  the 
accumulation  of  fat  an  impossibility,  while  the 
dull  surroundings  of  their  life,  to  them  most 
monotonous,  cramp  the  intellect,  until  they  are 
almost  as  taciturn  as  the  trees  with  which  they 
arc  associated.  But  their  hut  was  a  very 
model  of  the  picturesque ;  and  the  smoulder- 
ing fire,  over  which  their  dinner-pot  was  cook- 
ing, sent  up  a  wreath  of  blue  smoke  against 
the  dark  openings  of  the  deep  forest  that  gave 
a  quiet  charm,  and  a  contrast  of  colors,  diffi- 
cult to  sufficiently  admire,  and  impossible  to 
be  conceived  of  in  the  mere  speculations  of 
studio  life. 

One  of  our  strangest  experiences  in  these 
mysterious  regions  was  forced  upon  us  one 
morning,  when,  thrusting  our  head  through 
the  hole  that  gave  air  to  our  "  sleeping-shelf," 
wc  saw  a  sight  which  caused  us  to  rub  our 


128  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

eyes,  and  gather  up  our  senses,  to  be  certain 
we  were  positively  awake.  Our  rude  craft 
was  in  a  basin  possibly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
diameter,  entirely  surrounded  by  gigantic  for- 
est-trees, which  repeated  themselves  with  the 
most  minute  fidelity  in  the  perfectly  translu- 
cent water.  For  sixty  feet  downward  we 
could  look,  and  at  this  great  depth  see  dupli- 
cated the  scene  of  the  upper  world  ;  the  clear- 
ness of  the  water  assisting  rather  than  inter- 
fering with  the  vision.  The  bottom  of  this 
basin  was  silver  sand,  studded  with  pale  emer- 
alds, eccentric  formations  of  lime-crystals — a 
bed  of  white  coral  in  forms  and  color  that  re- 
minded us  of  the  cunningly-wrought  silver 
baskets  of  Genoa.  This,  we  soon  learned,  was 
the  wonderful  silver  spring  of  which  we  had 
heard  so  much,  which  ever}^  moment  throws 
out  its  thousands  of  gallons  of  water  without 
making  a  bubble  on  the  surface. 

Procuring  a  "  dug-out,"  provided  with  a 
gun,  and  furnished  with  our  drawing-ma- 
terials, and  a  lunch  that  would  answer  for  the 
day,  we  deliberately  proceeded  to  inform  our- 
self  of  the  mysteries  of  the  spot.     The  trans- 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


129 


parenc}'  of  the  water  was  ever  a  constant  won- 
der. A  little  pearly  white  shell,  dropped  from 
our  hand,  worked  its  zigzag  way  downward, 
becominof  in  its  descent  a  mere  emerald  tint, 
until,  finding  the  bottom,  it  seemed  to  b-j  a 
gem   destined  forever  to  glisten  in  its  silver 


settmg. 


Noticing  the  faintest  possible  movement  on 
the  surface  of  the  basin  at  a  certain  point,  we 
concluded  that  that  must  be  over  the  place 
where  the  great  body  of  the  water  entered  the 
spring.  So,  paddling  to  the  spot,  and  wrap- 
ping a  stone  weighing  about  eight  ounces  in 
a  piece  of  white  paper,  we  dropped  it  into  the 
water  at  the  place  where  the  slightly  percept- 
ible movement  was  visible.  The  stone  went 
perpendicularly  down  for  some  twenty-five 
feet,  until  it  reached  a  slight  projection  of 
limestone  rock,  where  it  was  suddenly,  as  if  a 
feather  in  weight,  forced  upward  in  a  curving 
line  some  fifteen  feet,  showing  the  tremendous 
power  of  the  water  that  rushes  out  from  the 
rock  buried  under  this  bed  of  burning  sand. 
Perhaps  the  most  novel  and  startling  feature 
was  when  our  craft  came  from  the  shade  into 


I30 


GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


the  sunshine,  tor  then,  looking  over  the  sides 
of  the  canoe,  we  recoiled  at  the  sensation  of 
floating  in  the  air.  For  it  seemed  as  if  we 
were,  by  some  miraculous  power,  suspended 
seventy  feet  or  more  in  the  mid  air,  while 
down  on  the  sanded  bottom  was  a  sharp, 
clear  silhouette  of  man,  boat,  and  paddle.  A 
deep  river  a  hundred  feet  wide  is  created  by 
the  water  of  this  spring,  which,  in  the  course 
of  seven  miles,  forms  a  junction  with  the 
Ocklawaha,  and  then  continues  to  run  side  by 
side  for  another  mile,  witKout  mixing  its  clear, 
pellucid  water  with  the  coffee-stained  flow  of 
the  other  stream,  which,  like  most  of  the  riv- 
ers of  Florida,  is  heavily  charged  with  alluvial 
and  vegetable  matter. 

Such  are  some  of  the  wonders  of  the  land 
discovered  by  Ponce  de  Leon, 

INDIAN    RIVER. 

The  sportsman  can  charter  a  Minorcan  ves- 
sel at  St.  Augustine,  on  reasonable  terms,  to 
carry  him  to  the  famous  Indian  River ;  or,  he 
can,  if  he  prefers  it,  go  up  the  St.  John's  to 
Enterprise,  and  so  reach  the  river. 


G  UIDE   TO  FLORIDA  .  1^1 

The  writer  of  this  work  ch)cs  not  propose 
to  endorse  any  fish  story,  but  to  give  an  idea 
of  the  sport  in  Indian  River,  gives  the  follow- 
ing extracts  from  the  letter  of  a  correspondent 
of  the  New  York  Sun,  written  last  spring;  the 
account  is  not  an  exaggeration,  for  it  is  sim- 
ply impossible  to  exaggerate  the  variety  or 
quantity  of  fish  to  be  found  in  this  wonderful 
inlet : 

"  The  gamest  fish  in  Florida  is  the  channel 
bass  or  red-fish.  It  is  a  salt  water  fish,  built 
like  a  striped  bass.  It  has  silvery  and  red 
golden  scales,  but  no  stripes.  A  round  moth- 
er-of-pearl spot  on  the  neck  of  the  tail  is  its 
most  striking  mark.  Channel  bass  hang  about 
the  mouths  of  fresh  water  brooks  in  great 
swarms  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  and 
gobble  up  the  young  mullet.  In  the  fall  of 
the  year  the  mullet  is  a  delicious  fish.  It 
never  takes  the  hook,  but  is  caught  in  a  cast- 
net. 

WONDERS   OF  THE   CAST-NET. 
"  Every  sea-coast  family  in  Florida  below 


132  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

St.  Augustine  owns  a  cast-net.  Spread  upon 
the  grass  this  net  is  about  twenty  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. The  edge  is  loaded  with  heavy 
sliding  sinkers,  each  of  which  fills  the  outer 
stitch  of  the  net.  From  the  center  runs  a  strong 
cord  from  eighteen  to  thirty  feet  in  length. 
The  thrower  takes  the  end  of  this  cord  be- 
tween his  teeth,  arranges  the  net  in  folds  on 
his  right  arm,  firmly  seizes  a  fold  in  each  hand, 
swings  himself  partly  around,  and  then  gives 
the  net  a  powerful  heave.  It  strikes  the  water 
in  a  circle,  the  sinkers  instantly  carry  the  rim 
to  the  bottom,  and  every  fish  beneath  it  is  a 
prisoner.  The  fisherman  then  draws  in  the 
net  by  a  cord,  while  the  weight  of  the  sinkers 
brings  them  together,  thus  preventing  the  es- 
cape of  the  fish.  The  art  of  throwing  the 
net  is  acquired  only  by  constant  practice.  It 
looks  easy  enough,  but  there  is  a  knack  about 
it  that  renders  it  difficult.  I  have  seen  a  tweh^e 
year  boy  send  it  eighteen  feet,  when  a  two- 
hundred  -  pound  greenhorn  could  not  even 
spread  it  on  the  water.  An  adept  will  throw 
it  from  twent}^  to  thirty  feet. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  133 


GREEN  CATFISH — CHANNEL  BASS. 

"  I  caught  my  first  channel  bass  at  Turtle 
Mound    on    a    Cudd^'hunk    hook,  which   was 
much    too   small.     Standing   upon    the   point 
of  a  spit  of  sand,   I   cast  the    mullet -baited 
hook  fift}'  feet  into  the  water.     Five  minutes 
passed  before  a  bite.     The  fish  was  fastened 
and  reeled  in.     It  was  a  two-pound  cat-fish  of 
a  delicate  green  color.     In  the  sun  it  had  the 
lustre  of  a  green  silk  dress.     A  second  time  I 
drew  in  a  green  cat-fish.     Then  half  an  hour 
elapsed  without  a  bite.     I  grew  discouraged, 
and   running  the   line  from  the   reel,  walked 
back  to  a  bunch  of  stunted  palmettos  and  laid 
my  I'od  across  them,  intending  to  go  to  the 
sea   beach  and  look  for  shells.     I   had  gone 
nearly  two  hundred  feet,  when  I  looked  back 
and    saw  the    reel    running   out   at   smoking 
speed.     The  rod  had  started   over  the  sand 
before  I  reached  it.     The  fish  was  evidently 
a  large  one,  and  wanted   play.     He  ran   up 
and  down  the  river  as  though  he  had  been 
dosed  with  laughing  gas.     It  was  ten  minutes 
before  he  became  quiet,  and  I  began  to  work 


134  GUIDE   TO  FLORIDA. 

the  reel.  When  within  twenty  feet  of  the 
shore  he  made  a  second  break,  taking  two 
hundred  feet  of  hue.  I  could  feel  him  shak- 
ing his  head  and  trying  to  get  the  hook  out 
of  his  mouth  as  he  sped  away.  Then  he  ran 
in  upon  me  like  a  race-horse,  faster  than  I 
could  take  in  the  slack.  Dashing  into  the 
shallow  water,  he  took  a  look  at  his  tormen- 
tor. It  was  not  satisfactory.  Making  a  wide 
sweep,  he  flirted  the  foam  into  my  face  with 
his  tail,  and  again  sailed  off  into  the  river, 
raising  a  swell  upon  the  surface  of  the  water. 
For  an  instant  he  was  quiet,  and  then  there 
was  a  circus-horse  performance,  which  lasted 
over  a  minute.  Finally  the  fish  became  ex- 
hausted, and  was  cautiously  reeled  in.  I  had 
no  gaff-hook,  and  was  about  to  stick  my  fin- 
gers into  his  gills  and  draw  him  upon  the 
sand,  when  Dr.  Fox,  my  guide,  said,  'Catch 
him  under  the  fore  fins  ;  he's  got  teeth  in  his 
gills.'  I  found  two  pockets  or  arm-pits  under 
his  fins,  r.nd  pulled  him  ashore.  He  was  a 
channel  bass,  weighing  twenty -two  pounds. 
Within  twenty  minutes  I  took  in  a  second 
one,  weighing  a  little  short  of  fourteen  pounds. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  I  35 

At  Seventy,  near  Pepper  Hammock,  I  caught 
a  twenty-five-pounci  fellow. 


THE  PRINCE  OF  FEATHERED  GLUTTONS. 

"  The  pelican  is  the  prince  of  feathered  glut- 
tons. I  shot  a  dozen  of  them  on  the  wing. 
Sometimes  the  fish  would  begin  to  tumble 
out  of  their  gullets  before  they  reached  the 
ground.  In  no  case  did  I  find  less  than  four 
large  fish  in  their  baggy  throats.  The  lower 
fish  would  be  half  digested.  Their  throttles 
are  like  mill  hoppers.  They  fill  the  pouch 
under  their  bill  with  a  peck  of  fish.  The  fish 
overflow  into  their  throats.  As  fast  as  one 
digests  another  drops  into  its  place,  and  goes 
through  the  same  process.  The  bird  is  fat, 
logy,  and  very  rank.  It  is  full  of  grease.  Han- 
dle a  dead  one  in  the  sun-  or  before  a  camp 
fire,  and  the  grease  will  drop  from  the  body. 
They  weigh  from  twelve  to  twenty  pounds. 
Dr.  Fox  shot  a  white  one  measuring  nine  feet 
and  one  inch  from  tip  to  tip,  and  weighing 
nineteen  and  three-quarters  pounds.  While 
sitting  upon  the  water  they  hold  their  heads 


136  GUIDE    TO  FLO.'^.'DJ. 

well  up,  with  their  enormous  bills  anrl  pouches 
flattened  upon  their  breasts.  They  look  as 
grave  as  country  judges — so  grav^e  that  but 
few  persons  can  see  them  without  laughing 
outright.  They  fly  in  Indian  file,  sometimes 
in  strings  half  a  mile  lonof.  When  the  leader 
flaps  his  wings  the  second  one  follows  suit, 
and  so  on  down  the  line ;  and  when  the  leader 
soars  number  two  does  the  same,  and  is  fol- 
lowed by  the  others.  Each  bird  seems  to  be 
under  strict  discipline,  and  when  g  -/ihered  in 
great  flocks  upon  the  beach  th^y  res  mble  an 
army  massed  by  battalions.  The  ;  I  a  mage  of 
the  grey  pelican  is  much  admired.  Eveiy 
feather  is  shaded  from  a  black  to  a  beautiful 

silver  grey.  The  under  part  of  the  neck  re- 
sembles yellow  satin,  and  the  back  part  is  a 

glossy  brown  velvet. 

THE   HIGHWAY    ROBBERS   OK   THE   AH^. 

"  It  is  amusing  to  watch  an  osprey  while  he 
is  fishing.  An  eagle  is  soaring  through  the 
air  five  hundred  feet  above  him.  The  osprey 
is  sailing  over  the  water,  carefully  eyeing  its 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  1 37 

surface.  Suddenly  he  steadies  himself  ai^ainst 
the  wind,  rolling  his  wings  as  though  endeav- 
oring to  back  water.  Then  he  drops  through 
the  air  like  a  plummet.  There  is  a  splash  in 
the  waves,  and  the  osprcy  rises  with  a  fish  in 
his  talons.  Meanwhile  the  eagle  is  drawing 
near.  As  the  osprey  ascends  in  the  air,  the 
eagle  utters  a  threatening  cry  and  swoops 
upon  him.  Unable  to  escape,  the  hawk  finall}'- 
drops  the  fish.  Before  it  strikes  the  water 
the  eagle  darts  downward  like  a  flash  of  light- 
ning and  catches  it,  while  the  osprey  flies  to 
a  hammock,  where  his  comrades  gather  round 
and  sympathize  with  him. 

THE    DANCING   FISH. 

*'  A  man-of-war  hawk  or  frigate  pelican  is  a 
peculiar  fisherman.  He  descends  upon  his 
prey  like  a  bullet  from  a  height  of  three  hun- 
dred feet.  He  seizes  the  fish  in  his  beak,  and 
soars  aloft  into  the  sky.  His  mates  gather 
about  him,  while  the  lucky  fisherman  tosses 
his  tidbit  into  the  air  so  as  to  catch  it  by  the 
head,  and  swallow  it,  as  it  comes  down.     His 


138  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

throat  is  so  small  that  he  can  get  it  in  his 
stomach  in  no  other  way.  There  is  a  wild 
swoop,  and  another  hawk  seizes  the  fish,  and 
again  it  is  tossed  in  the  air,  and  tossed  up  in- 
definitely, until  one  of  the  birds  is  so  fortunate 
as  to  catch  it  head-first,  when  it  disappears.  I 
have  seen  a  dozen  frigate  pelicans  keep  a  fish 
dancing  in  the  air  fifteen  minutes  before  it 
was  swallowed. 

"  The  most  wonderful  fishermen  on  the  In- 
dian River  is  a  native  named  Stewart.  He 
seems  to  be  amphibious.  It  is  no  uncommon 
thing  for  him  to  jump  into  the  water  and  run 
down  a  fat  mullet,  catching  it  in  his  hands. 
The  Futch  family  have  two  dogs  so  starved 
that  I  have  seen  them  dash  into  a  school  of 
mullet  and  reappear  with  fish  in  their  mouths. 

FISH   CAUGHT   IN   FLORIDA. 

"  Among  the  fish  caught  at  Smyrna  are 
sheepshead,  bass  or  red-fish,  the  red  and  black 
grouper,  salt  water  trout,  mullet,  king-fish  (the 
natives  call  it  whiting),  sea-bass,  pig-fish,  drum- 
fish,  sailor's  choice  or  porgie,  sergeant -fish, 


GUIDE   TO   FLORIDA.  I  39 

cavallo,  snapjack  or  blue-fish,  green  ami  black 
cat-fish,  red  and  black  snappers,  mcnatee,  lady- 
fish,  jew-fish,  stingarees,  sharks,  dog-fish,  por- 
poises, saw-fish,  sword-fish,  ribbon-fish,  pom- 
paneau,  different  kinds  of  cuttle  fish,  two  kinds 
of  eels,  (natives  call  them  congarees,)  an  elec- 
trical flounder,  similar  to  an  electrical  eel, 
flukes,  skates,  big  shrimps,  whipparees,  or 
clam-crackers,  bezonga,  toad-fish,  blow-fish, 
porcupine  fish,  cow-fish,  mojarra,  angel-fish 
and  spade-fish. 

"  The  grouper  is  a  sort  of  a  salt-water  perch, 
and  is  highly  prized  for  its  flavor  and  game- 
ness.     It  is  generally  caught  in  deep  water. 

"  The  salt-water  trout  is  not  the  Northern 
weak-fish.  It  resembles  a  brook  trout,  but 
the  dots  on  its  sides  are  black,  and  not  red. 
It  bites  like  a  weak-fish,  and  is  game  to  the 
backbone. 

"  The  pig-fish  is  built  like  a  grouper.  It  is 
a  game  fish,  and  derives  its  name  from  the 
fact  that  it  grunts  like  a  pig  when  thrown 
from  the  hook  to  the  bottom  of  the  boat. 

"  The  sheepshead  are  not  so  large  as  North- 
ern fish  of  this  name. 


140  GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA. 

"  The  serg-eant-fish  is  a  salt-water  pike.  It 
is  a  splendid  fighter,  and  is  called  a  sergeant- 
fish  because  it  has  three  stripes  running  across 
its  body  similar  to  a  sergeant's  chevrons.  It 
grows  as  large  as  a  muscalonge. 

"  The  cavallo  or  '  creval3-ea,'  is  a  favorite 
game  fish.  Its  head  and  fins  are  tipped  with 
gold.  The  former  is  shaped  like  the  prow  of 
an  old-fashioned  Erie  canal  boat.  The  fish  is 
very  narrow  at  the  root  of  the  tail,  which  has 
a  golden  tinge. 

"  The  lady-fish  is  delicate  and  silvery.  When 
struck  by  the  hook  they  spring  from  the  water 
with  more  energy  than  a  black  bass.  Their 
flavor  is  delicious. 

"  The  jew-fish  grows  to  an  enormous  size, 
occasionally  reaching  five  hundred  pounds  in 
weight.  It  is  of  a  greenish  color,  covered 
with  irregular  dark  spots,  and  is  very  game. 
Why  it  is  called  a  jew-fish  is  one  of  those 
things  that  no  person  can  find  out. 

"  The  saw-fish  becomes  verj^  large,  and  takes 
the  hook  like  an  old  stager.  Aflat  bone,  set  with 
teeth  on  either  edge,  juts  from  its  nose,  giving 
the  fish  its  name.     It  is  good  eating  and  game. 


GUIDE  TO  FLORIDA.  141 

"  The  ribbon-fish  has  a  snout  Hke  a  pike.  It  is 
a  thin  fish,  strung  out  like  a  ribbon,  from  which 
it  takes  its  name.     It  is  regarded  as  a  delicacy. 

"  Stingarees  are  plentiful,  and  of  an  enor- 
mous size.  Some  of  them  weigh  two  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds.  The  sting  is  in  their  tail. 
It  is  a  bone  several  inches  in  length,  bearded 
in  a  hundred  places  like  the  shank  of  a  hook. 
The  fish  can  throw  it  through  a  man's  boot, 
or  even  through  his  body.  It  is  a  dangerous 
fish,  and  has  been  known  to  cause  death  in  a 
few  hours.  The  natives  use  the  stingaree's 
tail  for  toothpicks.  They  declare  that  it  pre- 
vents toothache. 

"  The  pompeneau  is  the  pride  of  Southern 
epicures.  It  is  caught  in  a  net,  and  has  a 
round  body,  shining  like  a  plate  of  silver.  Its 
bones  are  soft,  and  it  has  a  flavor  superior  to 
that  of  a  shad. 

A   FISH   THAT   EATS   GRASS. 

**  The  menatee,  or  sea-cow,  is  a  huge  am- 
phibious animal.  It  is  found  in  the  St.  Lucie 
River.     It  has  a  head  like  that  of  a  sea-Hon, 


142 


Gi'IDE   TO  FLORIDA. 


and  it  looks  like  a  gigantic  seal.  It  feeds  upon 
the  rank  grass  growing  upon  the  marshes  of 
the  St.  Lucie.  The  menatee  has  ribs  as  thick 
as  a  man's  arm.  Last  year  Dolph  Sheldon 
and  Frank  Sams  caught  one  alive  near  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  intending  to  send  it  North 
for  exhibition.  The  animal  weighed  over  one 
thousand  five  hundred  pounds.  Unfortunately 
it  was  tied  to  the  boat  so  firmly  that  the  rope 
cut  into  its  flesh,  and  it  died  before  the  party 
reached  the  head  of  Indian  River.  The  por- 
gies  devoured  the  body.  Florida  is  the  only 
place  in  which  the  menatee  is  found  on  the 
North  American  continent.  Formerly  it  was 
abundant,  but  it  is  now  nearly  extinct,  and 
becomes  more  scarce  every  year.  Its  meat  is 
greatly  relished,  and  tastes  like  the  best  Ful- 
ton Market  beef. 

"  The  whipparee  resembles  the  stingaree. 
Its  mouth  is  filled  with  two  ivor}^  rocks,  and 
between  them  it  cracks  the  clams  on  which  it 
feeds.     It  reaches  an  enormous  size. 

"  The  porcupine-fish  has  a  round  body  filled 
with  quills.     It  is  small,  and  good  for  nothing. 

"  The  cow-fish  is  a  curious  fish.     It  has  the 


GUIDE    TO  FLORIDA. 


143 


head  of  a  pig,  with  two  horns  above  the  ears. 
On  the  bottom  it  is  as  smooth  as  a  flat-iron. 

"  The  mojarra  is  the  shape  of  a  sheepshead, 
and  has  a  lustrous  brown  shading-  above  the 
tail.  It  is  as  handsome  as  an  angel-fish,  and 
is  good  eating. 

"  The  spade-fish  also  looks  like  a  sheeps- 
head, but  it  has  no  hard  fins. 

NO   TROUT   IN  FLORIDA. 

"  All  the  books  on  Florida  declare  that  the 
rivers  are  filled  with  trout.  This  is  untrue. 
There  is  not  a  fresh-water  trout  in  the  State. 
What  they  call  trout  are  a  kind  of  black  bass, 
trapped  on  a  troll.  They  have  huge  mouths, 
and  are  caught  by  scores  in  the  St.  John's 
River.  A  lady  hooked  one  at  Enterprise 
weighing  ten  pounds  and  a  half.  Compared 
with  sea  fishing,  however,  fishing  on  the  St. 
John  is  boyish  sport. 

EXCURSIONS. 

From  St.  Augustine  and  Enterprise,  many 
excursions  can  be  made,  with   perfect  safety, 


144  GUIDE    TO  FLORIDA. 

into  an  almost  unexplored  region  abounding 
in  fish  and  game ;  and  one's  time — whether  in 
a  sojourn  of  a  few  weeks,  or  during  an  entire 
winter — be  most  agreeably  occupied  in  Flo- 
rida. 

There  are  many  quite  important  points  in 
Florida,  in  a  business  point  of  view,  not 
touched  upon  in  this  work;  but  we  believe  we 
have  here  given  all  that  interests  the  general 
reader,  or  the  seeker  after  health  or  recreation 
in  relation  to  Florida. 


FINIS 


^Oi^ 


First-Class  New-York  Built  Steamers 

BICTATOE*       ^  €apt*  Yog:e!, 

CWY  POMT,    -  f  apt.  Mtzgerald, 


Connect  at  CHARLESTON  and  SAVANNAH  with  the 
New  Yorli  Steamers  and  Northern  Trains  for 


SAVANNAH, 
FEliNA  NDINA , 
J  A  CKSON  V  [L  LE, 
St.  AUGUSTINE, 


HIBEJINIA, 

MAGNOLIA, 

GliEEN  CO  VESpiintfy, 

BALATKA, 


I^CLUDI,^G  ALL  LANDINGS  ON  THE  ST.  JOHN'S  RIVER. 

CONNECT    AT    PALATKA    WITH    STEAMKKS    FOR    ENTERPR1S1-, 

MKLLONVILLE.  SANFORD,  AND  INDLVN  RIVER,  ALSO 

WITH  STEAMERS  FOR  THE  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER. 

A  Fufficient  numbf-r  of  the  Cfioicest  State-Rcoms  are  reserved  lor 
PasBeugers  by  the  NEW  \OHK  STEAMERS. 

Passencers  will  find  on  these  Steamers  every  comfort  and  convenience — 
a  first-ciaBS  table,  and  ]  olite  and  attentive  employees. 

For  Freight  or  pass-aiic,  apply  in  New  York  to  Agents  of  Charleston  and 
Savannah  Steamsliip  Lines. 


Jlie  blCJ/lJOl^  apd  CIJY  H\^] 

have  during  the  Summer  been  elegantly  refurnished,  and 
put  in  the  most  thorough  order,  nothing  being  left  un- 
done to  provide  every  comfort  and  convenience.  The 
traveler  will  bear  in  mind  they  land  him  at  the  very 
doors  of  the  folloAving  hotels,  without  change  of  con- 
veyance. 

SAVANNAH. 

Pulaski  House,  Screven  House,  Pavilion  Hotel 
and  Marshall  House. 

FERNANDINA. 

RiDELL  House,  and  numerous  Boarding  Houses. 

JACKSONVILLE. 

International,  St.  James'  Hotel,  Metropolitan- 
Hotel,  St.  John's  House  ]\[rs.  Day's,  Mrs.  Atkin's, 
Mrs.  Stockton's  and  Mrs.  Buffington's. 

HIBERNIA. 

Mrs.  Fleming's. 

GREEN    COVE    SPRINGS. 

Union  Hotel  and  Clarendon  Hotel. 

THE  HOTEL  AT  MAGNOLIA. 

PALATKA. 

St.  John's  Hotel  and  Putnam  Hotel. 

At  Tocoi  landing  passengers  at  the  Cars  for 
St.  Augustine,  taking  them  direct  to  St.  Augustine 
Hotel,  Magnolia  House,  and  the  numerous  Board- 
ing Houses  of  the  Ancient  City. 

Connecting  at  Palatka  with  Steamers  taking  the 
passengers  to  Brock's  Hotel,  Enterprise,  and  the 
various  Boarding  Houses  at  MELLONVILLE. 

By  this  direct  communication  the  traveler  is  saved 
great  perplexity  and  trouble. 


AH  Tbrmgb  BBlkmi  TMeli 


TO 


FLORIDA 

RECEIVED    ON   THESE 

^teair|ei'^  ii\  f^k^m^eiit  of  f^a^^^k^e, 


AND 


a:#  lEf  ai.  € 


IS  MADE 


F'or   I^esuls   or  Stsute-iFLoorris. 


An  attentive  Stewardess  is  charged  with  the  care  of 
LADIES  and  CHILDREN,  ^vhose  duty  it  is  to  see 
them  provided  with  every  comfort. 

Each  Steamer  is  provided  7vith  a  well-filled  Medicine 
Chest,  and  the  attendants,  accustomed  to  the  wants  of 
invalids^  will  at  all  times  be  found  cheerfully  to  give  their 
assistance  when  called  upon. 

These  Steamers  being  heated  by  Steam,  a  pleasant  uni- 
form temperature  is  maintained  during  the  Winter 
Months  in  Saloons  and  State-Roovis. 


Whether  pleasure- seekers  or  invalids^  will  find  the  route 
by  the  DICTATOR  and  CITY  POINT  the  ?nost  en- 
joyable and  the  least  expensive  j  it  is  the  only  route  by  which 
the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  lower  St.  John's  River  can 
be  vieived^  with  the  many  points  rendered  interesting,  as 
the  scenes  of  the  earliest  settlements  on  the  Continent,  and 
of  the  many  bloody  struggles  between  the  French  a?id 
Spaniards. 

Those  traveling  with  invalids — ladies  or  children,  will 
particularly  appreciate  the  trouble  and  anxiety  avoided,  by 
being  carried  direct  to  their  destination  without  several 
times  having  to  shift  baggage,  etc.,  etc. 

The  steamers  are  of  the  safest  description,  especially 
adapted  to  the  service — fitted  with  every  comfort  and  con- 
venience— clean,  comfo7'table  State  Rooms,  a  table  provided 
with  every  luxuij  of  the  Charleston,  Savannah  and  Flor- 
ida markets,  and  equal  to  that  of  a7iy  first-class  hotel. 

The  DICTATOR  and  CITY  POINT  are  com- 
manded by  officers  who  have  spent  their  lives  in  the 
Florida  trade,  and  they,  as  well  as  all  the  employees  on  the 
Steamers,  will  take  pleasure  in  giving  every  inforination 
to  visitors,  and  to  those  intending  to  settle  in  Florida. 

Goods  and  Packages  will  be  fot-warded  by  the  Agents, 
free  of  conwiission. 

K-AT^EIVEL    &c    CO.,  Agents, 

Charleston,  South  Carolina. 


Fqf  Speei,  8^§tjBni  C^omfort 


TAKE    THE  GREAT 


SOUTHERN   FREICxHT, 


AND 


PASSENGER  «INE, 

FOR    CHARLESTON,   S.  C, 


AND  THE 


0otitl\  ki\d  ^otitlvWe^t, 

Sailing  from  Pier  29,  North  River,  at  3  p.  m.,  every 

TUESDAY,    THURSDAY    AND    SATURDAY. 

Through  Passage  Tickets  and  Bills  of  Lading  issued  at  lowest  rates. 


FOR  LOCAL   FREIGHT  AND    PASSAGE   TO  ALL   POINTS^ 

APPLY   TO 

JAMES  W.   QUINTARD    &    CO., 

177  West  Street,  cor.  AVarren. 

FOR    THROUGH  FREIGHT   TARIFF  AND   RATES 

APPLY  TO 

BENTLEY    D.    H  A  S  E  L  L, 

General  Agent  Great  Southern  Freight  Line, 
317   BROADVTAY. 


tB. 


I  >i  P  0  ;i{  >i^  S  X 'J-'  I'o 


The  Maffnificent  Side-Wheel  Steamships 


MANHA  TTAN, 

CHAMPION, 

CHARLESTON, 

JAMES  ADGER, 

GEORGIA, 

SOUTH  CAROLINA, 


M.  S.  Woodhull,  Commander. 
R.  W.  Lockwood,  " 

Javies  Berry,  " 

T.  J.  Lockwood,  " 

Hohnes, 
Crowell, 


« 


I<ekve  Xew  Yoi'k  fof  dl]kile^toii,  ^.  d., 


EVERT 


At  3  O'clock  P.  M-  ,  from  Pief\  29  pT.  j^.. 

connecting  with  the  Charlepton  and  Florida  steamships  "DICTATOR"  and 
"CITY  POINT"  for  Jacksonville,  St.  Augustine,  and  other  points  in 
Florida. 

This  is  the  shortest  and  pleasantest  sea  route.    Travelers  have  the  option 
of  remaining  in  Charleston  at  their  convenience,  and  reviewing  the  historic 

^S    OF     FORT    SUi^^ 

and  other  points  of  interest  in  and  around  Charleston.  These  steamships 
also  connect  with  the  trains  on  the  South-Carolina  Bailroad  for  AIKEN, 
S.  C,  AUGUSTA,  Ga.,  and  all  points  south. 

THROUGH   TICKETS  TO  ALL  POINTS   IN  FLORIDA,   SOUTH  CAROLINA,  GEORGIA, 

ALABAMA,   AND  TENNESSEE   MAT  BE  OBTAINED  AT   THE  OFEICE 

OF  THE   NEW   TORK  AGENTS. 

J  \MES  W.  QUTXTAHl)  &  Co.,       JAMES  ADGER  &  CO., 

117  West  St.,  Cor.  Warren.       Agents  at  Charleston,  S.  Carolina. 


AND 

VIA 

SAVANNAH^  6a^ 

FOB 

w  1^  o  miW)  M 


f 


AND   ALL 

rOIXTS  in  the  SOUTH  and  SOUTH-WEST. 


One  of  the  following  First-Class  Steamships  will  sail  every  other  day  as 
follows, — punctually  at  3  o'clock,  p.  m. : 

EVERY    TUESDAY, 

From  Pier  1 6,  E.  K.,  foot  of  Wall  St., 

J^t.O  &  Yl^(^0,  of  Mtii'i'ayy  I<ii\e, 

MuKRAT,  Ferris  &  Co.,  Agents,  61  and  62  South  St. 

EVERY     THURSDAY, 

From  Pier  43,  N.  E. 

EVERY    SATURDAY, 

From  Pier  43,  N.  R, 

W.  R.  Garrison,  Agent,  5  Bowling  Green. 


Making  close  connections  at  Savannah,  with  Central  R.  R.,  Ga; 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  R.  R.,  and  Steamboats  for  St.  John's  River  and 
Florida. 


^\vUAMM.B,RD4co 


51- 


Wliite  I<ekd^ 


^i^6^,  Cioloi% 


Wim9W  mM88,  Bto. 


No.  301  East  Bay  Street,  Charleston,  S.  C, 


AND 


No.  8  Whitaker  Street,  Savannah,  Ga. 


—^- -^ — ^--       i 


T/iis  ^v ell-known  atid popular  first-class  Hotel,  situat- 
ed in  the  Centre  of  the  City,  and  also  in  the  centre  of 
the   Wholesale  Businesi   Houses,  affords  facilities,  com- 
forts   and    attention    to     Travelers    for   pleasure,    and 
Merchatits   on   business,   second  to   none   in   the    United 
States. 

Having  been  recently  thoroughly  repaired  and  newly 
furjiished  throughout,  the  Proprietor  pledges  himself  to 
spare  no  pains  in  its  matiagement  to  maintain  the  high 
reputation  heretofore  enjoyed  by  the  old  CHARLESTON 
as  a  first-class  house. 

E.    H.  JACKSON,    Prop'r. 


General  Railway  amd  Steamship  Ticket  Office. 
Through  Tickets  sold  by  Rail  to  all  points  in  the 
United  States,  and  by  Rail  or  Steamship  to  Baltimore, 
Philadelphia  and  New  York. 

A.  BCTTEKFIELl),  General  Ticket  Agent, 

CHARLESTON    HOTEL. 


fhrilio^  Sotel, 

CHARLESTON,    S.   C. 


^•-»- 


This  house,  having  been  newly  furnished  and  painted 
throughout,  and  having  the  Celebrated  Artesian  Water 
introduced  on  every  floor,  is  now  open  for  the  reception 
of  guests.  The  apartments  are  spacious,  well  ventilated, 
and  thoroughly  adapted  to  the  comfort  of  the  traveling 
public. 

Artesian  Baths  having  been  established  in  connec- 
tion Avith  this  house,  makes  it  particularly  desirable  for 
iNTAiiiDS,  and  the  traveUng  pubhc  generally. 

The  proprietors  have  spared  neither  trouble  nor  ex- 
pense in  the  renovation  of  the  Culinary  department. 

A  First-Class  Livery  Stable  is  connected  with  the 
Hotel,  and  Omnibuses  and  Carriages  for  the  conveyance 
of  passengers,  will  be  in  attendance  at  all  the  Steamboat 
Landings  and  Rail-road  Depots. 

The  Proprietors  would  respectfully  ask  a  share  of 
public  patronage,  promising  to  give  satisfaction. 

GEO.  T.  ALFORD  &  CO.,  Proprietors. 


^ 


This  well-known  hotel,  which  has  always  been  considered 
the  leading  hotel  in  Savannah,  and  one  of  the  best  in  the 
South,  is  pleasantly  located  in  the  central  portion  of  the  city, 
on  Johnson  Square,  with  a  southern  front,  which  is  a  matter 
of  no  small  importance  in  this  climate.  In  consequence  of  the 
death  of  the  late  proprietor.  Major  W.  H.  WiLTBERGER,  the 
hotel  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  Messrs.  S.  N.  Papot  &  Co., 
and  the  new  proprietors  have  made  many  changes  and  im- 
provements. The  whole  house  has  been  thoroughly  painted 
inside  and  out,  and  otherwise  renovated  ;  and  such  alterations 
have  been  made  in  the  interior  arrangements,  as  must  add  to 
its  attractions  and  conduce  to  the  comfort  of  the  guests. 

At  this  hotel  every  convenience  is  offered  to  the  traveling 
public  in  the  way  of  Ticket  Offices  for  all  the  Railroads  and 
Steamboats ;  Telegraph  Office,  etc.,  and  here  also  Sleeping- 
car  tickets  can  be  procured.  A  handsome  billiard-room  has 
been  provided  for  the  use  of  the  guests,  which  we  are  induced 
to  mention,  as  it  is  a  thing  which  has  been  long  v^^anted,  and 
as  it  is  the  only  hotel  in  Savannah  which  contains  any  such 
means  of  amusement. 

If  kind  and  courteous  treatment,  comfortable  rooms  and  a 
good  table;  offer  any  inducements  to  our  friends  going  South, 
either  for  health,  pleasure  or  business,  we  think  we  can  safely 
recommend  them  to  patronise  the  Pulaski  during  their  sojourn 
in  Savannah. 

S.    N.    PAPOT   &    CO., 


SAVANNAH,  GA. 

♦♦^ - 

The  undersigned  take  pleasure  in  informing- 
their  patrons  and  the  travehng  Public  gen- 
erally, that  during  the  past  Summer  they  have 
thoroughly  renovated,  re-decorated,  and  much 
improved  this  well-known  house. 

Every  requisite  for  the  comfort  and  pleasure 
of  their  guests  has  been  made. 

The  location  is  deemed  one  of  the  best  and 
healthiest  in  the  city — fronting  on  a  public 
square. 

The  Cuisine  has  been  particularly  attended 
to,  and  the  services  of  the  best  French  cooks 
secured. 

Bath-rooms  have  been  recently  fitted  up  for 
the  use  of  guests. 

The  House  is  still  under  the  same  proprietor- 
ship as  last  year,  assisted  by  Mr.  I.  W.  Tuttle, 
who  has  been  long  connected  with  the  estab- 
lishment. 

iJ.  BRAJDLEY  &  SON, 

Proprietors. 


riH©iii*oiit 


^1 


SuU  gtfeet,  dof.  ^outl\  Si^o^d. 


SAVANNAH,    GA. 


:o:- 


A.  FERNANDEZ,  Proprietor, 

BOARD  PER  DAY,  $3;  PER  WEEK,  $15. 


The  undersigned  would  respectfully  inform  his 
friends  and  the  public  generally,  that  he  has  leas- 
ed the  Pavilion  Hotel,  and  has  put  it  in  complete 
order,  and  is  now  ready  to  receive  Boarders 
either  permanent  or  transient. 

The  House  is  eligibly  located  on  the  principal 
promenade  of  the  city,  and  is  admirably  adapted 
for  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  used.  Every  effort 
will  be  made  to  merit  the  patronage  of  the  public. 

A.   FERNANDEZ, 

Late  of  the  Ptdaski  and  Screven  Houses. 


McCONNELL'S 


AND 


PtEST^XJRu^KTT, 


116  &  118  Bryan  Street,  Savannah,  Ga. 


BOAED  WITH  EOOMS,  $2.00  PER  DAY;  LAEGE  AIEY  SINGLifl 
BOOMS,  WITHOUT  BOAED,  $1.00  PEE  DAY. 


m  »  » 


The  Restaurant  is  supplied  with  all  the  delica- 
cies of  the  Northern  and  Southern  Markets. 

D.  McCONNELL,  Proprietor. 


f{iDDELL  Souse, 


Daily  don)n\iir|i(5atioi)^  witl\  kll  Phi't,<  of  tl)e  dotintfy, 


BT 


STEAMER  and  RAILROAD. 


-*•>- 


This  house  is  on  the  Seaboard,  in  the  most  healthy 
part  of  the  State  of  Florida.  The  drive  of  i8  wiles 
on  the  most  magnificent  beach  on  the  Atlantic  Coast 
presents  a  great  attraction  to  visitors.  The  cxcnr- 
sions  in  the  neighborhood  are  interesting^partictdarly 
that  to  Cumberland  Islafid,  and  the  well  knoivn 
Dungeness. 

The  house  has  lately  been  pnt  in  thorough  repair, 
and  will  be  found  conducted  in  a  most  stiperior  style 
by  the  proprietor.  • 

SAMUEL    T.  RIDDELL, 

Proprietor. 


tea  Qtt 


Wj^BS 


OP 


D.    G.    AMBLER 


J(^<'^SO?fy,lle' 


y 


DEALER  IN 

(«o  /^j  /^ 

_XCHANGE.     ""  "^  ""' 

AND 


fS-'  (^J  /^~iS  Q 

XCHANGE,    iStOCKS,    lONDS,    ^NOTESS 


^  Itif  ii^ 

Special  Attention  given  to  Investments  for  Capitalists! 

Ii\tei^e^t  Sllo^Yed  oq  f)erpo^it^. 


Visitors  to  Florida  afforded  every  possible  facility. 
Drafts  on  Northern  Cities  cashed  on  favorable  terms. 
Every  ijiformation  cheerfully  afforded  the  Tourist  or 
Invalid  as  to  the  various  Winter  Resorts  of  Florida — ■ 
routes  of  travel^  etc.,  etc.  Our  files  of  Northern  papers 
may  at  all  times  be  consulted. 


THE 


^T.  JAMES  SOTEL, 

{Fronting  St.  James  Park,) 


OPEN  FROM  NOVEMBER  TO  MAY, 


^mf>JI£  St.   lames  Hotel  has  accommodations  for  300 

1'  guests.  Its  location  is  the  finest  in  Florida.  A  Jiew 

c-     ■  -}   brick  wing,  wo  feet  by  46  feet,  three  stories  high, 

with  spacious  parlors  on  the  first-floor,  and  large  airy 

sleeping  rooms  with  fire  place  in  each,  on  the  second  and 

third  floors,  has  been  added  during  the  past  Summer.   The 

e?iiire  house  has  been  refurnished  in  first-class  style  ivith 

sofa-spring  beds  and  best  hair  mattresses. 

Families  and  others  seeking  the  delightful  climate  of 

Florida  will  find  the  St.  James  a  comfortable  home  for 

the  winter. 

J.  R.  CAMPBELL  &  J.  N.  ANDREWS, 

GENERAL   MANAGERS. 


JAOSSOITVILLE. 


l^EOKGE     ^C^glNLZY.    ^KOPKIETOK. 


The  Grand  National,  recently  completed,  is 
now  open  for  the  reception  of  guests.  Its  situa- 
tion is  unrivalled,  commanding  a  magnificent 
view  of  the  St.  John's  River,  and  convenient  to 
the  steamer  landings  and  railroad  depot. 

Visitors  will  find  here  every  comfort,  large, 
finely  furnished,  and  well-ventilated  apartments, 
and  an  excellent  table. 

Bath  rooms,  billiard  room,  livery  stable,  etc., 
attached  to  hotel.  In  fact,  every  requisite  of  a 
first-class  house. 

GEORGE  McGINLEY,  Proprietor. 


^lETROPOLITAiN  HOTEL, 


JnBkMomllle,  Plm 


m 


8uilt  of  Sridk,— Kew  ¥l\i^oti#\otit. 


fLORIDAl^ANDScENCY, 


Jacksonville,  Fla, 


C.  L.  ROBINSON,  Proprietor. 


Attorney  at  Law. — Commissioner  U.  S.  Circuit 

Court. — Special  Commissioner  U.  S.  Court 

Claims. — Publisher  «*  Florida  Land 


Register." 


^t.  ]o\^'^  Sou^e, 


JACKSOJ^VILLE,  Fla. 


Mrs.    E.    HlIDNAIiL,    Proprietress. 


MRS.   BUFFINGTON, 


'str^itt  Btitd 


I'^s^ 


JACKSONVILLE.    FLA. 


t 


GUESTS  WILL  FIND  EVERY  COMFORT. 

Academy  of  St.  Joseph, 

lAOKSO^TILLl,  East  Ma.; 
MOTHER    SIDOlSriEU,    Sup. 


The  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  have  a  separate  house  for 
the  accommodation  of  persons  desiring  to  spend  the 
winter. 


MRS.  S.  E.   DAY, 

JACKSONVILLE,    FLA. 

FORSYTH    STREET. 


?fiYkte  Sokfdiii 


AT 

Mrs.    A.    V.    C.    ATKII\S, 

MONROE  STREET,  1st  Door  from  Market  St., 

JACKSONVILLE,  EAST  FLOBIBA. 


MRS.  STOCKTON, 


c- 


PfiYkte  Sokfdir^^, 


JACKSONVILLE,    Fla. 


T~^  T  O  G  iV/ 


DEALER  IN  FOREIGN 


fiBms  MqwQm  BBi  B'&gmB§ 


IMPOETEK  OF  FINB 


Excursion  Parties  fitted  out  with  every  reqtii site  for 
extended  trips  to  the  Interior. 


Proprietor  of  the  Metropolitan  Billiard  Saloon,  Avhere 
visitors  will  find  tables  of  the  celebrated  makers,  both 
Pocket  and  Carom.  Liquors  of  our  own  importation 
furnished  at  the  bar. 

The  large  Hall  in  the  bviilding  can  be  secured  on  rea- 
sonable terms  for  Concerts,  Theatrical  Representations, 

etc.,  etc. 

J.    B.    TOG3VI. 


C.  B.  McCLENNY'S  STABLES 

Jacksonville,  Fla., 

OPPOSITE  SAINT  JAMES'  &  METROPOLITAN  HOTELS. 

To  Zet,  with  Careful  2>riyers. 

Horses,  Buggies  &  Saddle-Horses 

FFRNISHED  AT  THE  SHORTEST  NOTICE. 

Omnibmet,  Hacks  and  Baggage  Wagons  meet  all  Boats  and  Trains. 
♦♦• 

Special  attention  paid  to  orders  left  at  either  Stable 
for  Passengers  or  Baggage. 


DAMON    GREENLEAF, 

JACKSONVILLE,  Fla., 


DEALER   IN 


^atclieg,  Clocfe  jewelry,  ^olid  silver, 


AND 


-:o:- 


Watches,  Clocks  and  Jewelry  Repaired  &  Warranted. 


-:o:- 


FLORIDA    CURIOSITIES. 


Do  not  fail  while  in  Florida,  to  visit  Greenleafs 
Museum  of  Florida  Curiosities,  connected  with  Green- 
leafs  Jewelry  Store,  opposite  the  Market. 

Constantly  on  hand,  the  largest  stock  in  the  State  of 

ea  Beans,  mounted  in   every  style;   Alligator  Heads, 

Alligator  Teeth,    carved  and  mounted;    Orange,  Royal 

Palm,  Palmetto,  Break-axe,  Mangrove,  and  other  Canes. 

Pink  Curlew  Wings,  Egret  and  Heron  Plumes;  Fla- 
mingo and  Fawn  Plumes ;  Sea  Shells  and  Coral ;  Alligator 
Eggs,  etc.,  etc. 

Sole  Agent  for  the  celebrated  Bahamian  Shell- Work. 


©RY  AND  3?ANCY  G^OODS, 


FURCHGOTT,  BENEDICT  &  OO.'S 


KNOWN  AS  THE 


TRADE    PALACE. 

¥l|e  i]:\o^t  "beautiful  kqd  fii^e^s't  ^tofe  ii)  tl^e  ^tkte. 

BAY  STREET,  Jacksonville^  Fla. 

Branch  of  CHARLESTON  HOUSE,  275  liing  St. 

New  York  Office,  86  Leonard  Street. 

^ALMETTO     ^ATS, 

Carpets  and   Matting,  a   Specialty. 


ABia  1. 1111.411, 


9 


JACKSONVILLE,  Fla., 

Hardware, 

Iron  and  Steel, 

Edge  Tools, 

Table  and  Pocket  Cutlery, 

Nails,  Glue, 

Putty,  Glass, 
Paints,  Oils, 

Leather  Belting, 

Rubber  Packing, 

Stoves,  Tinware, 

Crockery,  Pumps 

i^i&©  AJta  tm^m  wwE, 

DOORS,  SASHES,  BLINDS,  MOULDINGS,  SUGAR  MILLS, 
EVAPORATORS,  ETC. 


«as  Fitting,  Roofing,  Jobbing,  and  Tin  Smltlilng 
done  to  Order. 


E.  P.  ^VEBSTER  &  CO., 


DRUGGISTS  &  APOTHECARIES, 


SIOJV^  ''GOLDEN  MORTAR." 


mmiWB  mm§m,  eA¥  m 


j^A  c£:sojvrizzB,  fz o^i^a. 

Persons,  visiting  Jacksonville,  in  need  of  pure 
Drugs  and  Medicines,  fine  Brandy,  Wines,  and 
other  Liquors,  Fancy  Goods,  Toilet  Articles, 
fine  Brushes,  fine  Soaps,  fine  Eau  de  Cologne, 
Florida  Water,  Rose  Water,  Orange-flower 
Water,  Pomades,  and  every  thing  usually  kept  in 
a  first-class  Drug  Store, — are  invited  to  call,  and 
look  at  our  stock.  The  Compounding  of  Pre- 
scriptions made  a  Specialty.  Satisfaction  prom- 
ised in  all  cases. 


•V  I  s  I  T  o  rt 


iiliiil 


^^'pS^'^'^yiGJ^ 


^^OOK  OUT  rOR  TK£  ^OLD^GN  ^LLIGATOK, 


AT 


E.    F.    GILBERT'S 

Where,  in  addition  to  the  finest  stock  of 


WATCHES,  CLOCKS,  JEWELRY, 

SILVER  AND  PLATED  WARE, 

They  will  find  the  best  collection  of 

in  the  State,  at  the  Lowest  Cash  Prices,  comprising  in 
part,  Walking  Canes,  in  every  variety  of  beautiful  native 
wood ;  Alligator  Teeth,  carved  or  gold  mounted ;  Sea 
Beans,  mounted  in  ■  new  and  beautiful  designs  j  Sea  Shell 
Jewelry,  Crosses,  Card  Baskets,  etc.,  of  exquisite  luorknian- 
ship  J  Flumes  and  Feathers  of  every  hue  ;  Corals,  and 
hundreds  of  the  Native  Beauties  of  Florida.  Monograms, 
and  Fancy  Fng ravings  a  specialty. 

Fine  JFatches  and  Chronometers  repaired  and  rated. 
Remember  Gilbert's  sign  of  the  Golden  Alligator, 
Jacksonville,  Florida. 


Charles  L.   Mather.  Fi\ank  E.  Little 


C.  L.  MATHER  &  CO., 


W  office  bliildipg,  jack^opVille,  \k 


WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL 


i®llSS, 

BOOKSELLERS  &  nEWSD^X^ERS. 


Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Savannah 
Daily  Papers,  a/so  all  the  latest  Magazines  and 
Periodicals  constajitly  on  hand. 

Parties  visiting  Florida  can  leave  their  subscriptions 
•with  7is,  for  any  length  of  tifne,  and  the  same  will  be 
promptly  forwarded  to  any  point  accessible  by  mail. 

Guide  Books,  Railway  Guides  and  Pocket  Maps 
in  great  variety. 

Call  and  examine  our  stock  before  purchasing  elsewhere. 


THE    OLD    RELIABLE 

BROCK'S  LINE  OF  STEAMERS 


J 

RUSrarNG  BETWEEN 


ON  THE 

ST.    JOHISr'S    lilVER,,     FLOItir>A. 


THE  NEW  AND  ELEGANT  PASSENGEK  STEAMER 


Leaves  JACKSONVILLE  daily  (except  Sundays)  for  PALATKA  and 
all  Intermediate  Points,  and  connecting  with  Steamers  for  ENTER- 
PRISE, CLAY  SPRINGS,  SALT  LAKE,  DUNN'S  LAKE,  and  points 
on  tlie  OCKLAWAHA  RIVER.  At  TOCOI  witli  ST.  JOHN'S  RAIL- 
ROAD for  ST.  AUGUSTINE,  and  returning  to  Jacksonville  same 
evening  in  time  to  connect  with  all  Northern  Trains. 

THE    FAVORITE    STEAMERS 

"f)Sf{i<i>[G^¥oK"  iind  "SS¥¥iE^" 

Leave  JACKSONVILLE  on  Sundays  and  Wednesdays  at  9  a.  m., 
RcNNiNG  THROUGH  TO  ENTERPRISE,  and  Stopping  at  all  principal 
points  on  the  River. 

The  Old  Reputation  of  this  Popular  Line  will  be  fully 

sustained,  and  every  Comfort  Guaranteed 

to  its  Patrons. 

JACOB  BROCK,  Agent, 

Jachsonville,  Fla- 


AND 


THE 

FAVORITE   AjYD    SPLE.YDID    STEAMER, 


'W? 


Captain  L.  M.  COXETTER, 

LEA^'ES  JAC•KSO^'\^LLE  EVERY 


AND 

ALL  IXrER2IEDIATE  LANDINGS  on  the  St.  JOHN'S  MfVUB. 


The  Starlight  has  recently  been  thoroughly  o-oerhauled, 
supplied  7uith  new  boilers  and  refurnished,  and  is  iio:o  in 
splendid  order,  offering  the  most  as;reeable  means  of  reach- 
ing points  on  the 

t-ppci'  >^t.  Jol|n\s',  Iiidiaq  kt|(l  Odl^iAvhl^a  f^ivci';^. 

Her  passenger  accommodations  are  unsurpassed^  and 
Iter  table  first-class. 

Close  communication  made  with  the  Charleston  and 
Savannah  Steamers.     For  full  information  apply  to 

<ii:().  ii.   lOS'l'KR,  Agoiii,  Jackson vill J. 


HENRY  A.   L'ENGLE, 

GRAB  UA  TED 


PlAllACllIISI 


9 

Cof.  ©ky  ^t\gI  I^ktii^k  Hti'eet^, 

JACKS  ONVIL.LE. 


^ » » 


6^6"  /^  //z^  Coi-ner  of  Bay  ajid  Laura  Streets.,  where  you 
will  find  a  good  stock  of- 


PUBE  AHO  PBBm  DlVfiJ 


AND 


CHEMICALS, 

PATENT  MEDICINES,  PERFUMERY,  TOILET 

ARTICLES, 

FINE    WINES    AND    LIQUORS, 

»  FOR  MEDICINAL   PURPOSES. 

Physicians  Frescriptio?ts  accurately  prepared  at  all  hours 
of  the  day  and  night. 


dlcii'eiidoii  Settle, 

GBBEN  COVE  SJPMINGS,  Fla. 

ON  THE 

ST.    JOHN'S     RIVER, 

30  Wires  geuth  of  j:aeksQnvll[©. 

Daily  Mail  and  two  daily  Steamers  from  Jacksonville 
to  Green  Cove. 


-»♦- 


Belonging  to  this  house,  and  within  loo  ft.  of  it,  is  the 
Green  Cove  Warm  Sulphur  Spring,  discharging  3,000 
gallons  per  minute,  of  temperature  78°. 

This  water  is  highly  valuable  in  its  medicinal  qualities, 
in  the  following  diseases.  Rheumatism — Gout — Scrof- 
ula —  Dyspepsia  —  Paralysis  —  Neuralgia —  all  Nervous 
Affections  —  Erysipelas,  and  all  Eruptive  Diseases — 
Kidney  Disorders,  and  General  Debility. 

Large  additions  have  been  made,  during  the  past 
season,  to  the  Bathing  facilities.  The  Baths  and  Dressing 
Rooms  now  occupy  a  space  200  ft.  long  by  50  ft.  wide. 

The  house  is  supplied  with  water  from  the  Spring,  by 
means  of  water  power. 

HARRIS,  APPLEGATE  &  CO.,  Proprietors. 


mw.^, 


Sf. 


AT 


GREEN    COVE    SPRINGS, 

30  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE, 


KEPT  BT 


MESSRS.  REMINGTON  &,  REED, 

Is  a  most  delightful  place  for  visitors.     They 
will  find  every  comfort,  and  a  fine  table. 


Mrs.    FLEMIISTG, 

HIBERNIA,  on  the  St.  JOHN'S  RIVER, 

25   MILES    ABOVE  JACKSONVILLE, 

PRIVATE  BOARDING  HOUSE. 

A  most  delightful  place  for  visitors  from  the 

North. 


f  \\ 

f 

J 


houfic, 


GRE^^ 


COVE    S 


pB^^ 


GS, 


wmmnk.  ■ 


THE  CELEBRATED  SULPHUR  AND  MINERAL  SPRINGS 


FOR 


-««1MM«^^' 


i'^  ^  ^6/ 


WM 


OPEN   WINTER  AND    SUMMER. 


FlMHi,  Wl 


These  Springs  are  situated  thirty  miles  above  Jackson- 
ville; daily  communication. 


H.  L.  HART. 


C.  C.  LYNDE. 


S.  L.  MORRIS. 


SSf(¥,  I<Y>[!)S^  &  Co.,  S^f o^tietof^. 


The   Putnam   House   has  during  the  past 

Summer   been   put   in   thorough   order,  and   an 

addition  built  containing  forty  comfortable  rooms. 

The  favorable  reputation   of  the   house  will  be 

maintained    by    the    present    proprietors,    who 

promise   nothing   shall   be   left   undone   for   the 

comfort  of  their  guests. 

HART,  LTNDE  &  CO. 


PALATKA,  East  Florida. 

P.  &  H.  PETERMAN,  Proprietors. 


This  Hotel  is  newly  furnished  throughout 
A  fine  Billiard  Room  in  connection  with  house, 
and  guests  will  find  everything  for  their 
comfort. 

N.  H.  MORAGNE,  M.  D., 

WHOLESALE  &  BETAIL 
PALATKA,   EAST   FLORIDA. 

Ju^lS/lES    BURT, 

FALATKA,  EAST  FLORIDA. 


FOR    THE 


»)  i!'(«^ 


'S^ 


>\4I. 


e 


-^'<.\-ii  \$ 


The  fine  Steamers  of  the  Hart  Line  connect 
at  Palatka  with  the  Charleston  and  Savannah 
Steamers,  leaving  on  their  arrival 


«"rf«/«^^y^„^^,^if6ilaf«- 


These  boats  have  been  put  in  good  order  and 
a  fine  new  steamer  added  to  the  line,  so  that 
passengers  will  find  on  board  every  comfort  and 
a  good  table.  By  this  route  they  visit  the  7nost 
remarkable  and  most  beautiful  River  of  Florida, 
the  celebrated  Silver  Spring,  and  the  noble  Lakes 
Harris  and  Eustace. 

Sportsmen  will  find  game  abundant  on  the 
whole  route.     For  full  information  apply  to 


?;s.^?|>  ^^  <^^. 


■iB  I  n  ^  ■m^'i  &>4i^. 


Situated  six  miles  from  Silver  Springs, 
where  a  conveyatice  meets  every  boat  on  the 
Oclawaha  River. 

This  honse  is  pleasantly  situated  in  the 
flotLrishiiig  town  of  Ocala^  encircled  by  pine 
groves,  and  acknowledged  by  the  faculty  as 
one  of  the  most  desirable  winter  resorts  for 
invalids.  Comfortable  rooms  and  a  good  table 
fiirnished  at  moderate  prices. 

E.  I.  HARRIS,  Proprietor. 


aiA^i^^S^     m.^%s.m.mm 


rri/IB  Brock  House ^  beautifully  situated 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Mu7iroe,  will  be 
foiuid  by  Invalids,  Tourists  and  Sportsmen 
to  combine  every  requisite  for  health,  comfort^ 
and  enjoyment. 

The  rooms  are  large  and  comfortable,  and 
the  table  excellent. 

Splendid  boating,  fishing  and  htuiting^  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Hotel. 

Arrangements  ca7i  be  here  made  for  con- 
veyances to  Smyrna^  hidian  River,  etc. 

JACOB    BROCK,    Proprietor. 


/7\ 


JyiELLONVILLE     SoUSE, 

MEhhomihrn. 


t<  *  ■ »  '« 


This  Hotel,  commanding  a  splendid  view  of  Lake 
Munroe,  offers  to  the  traveling  public  excellent  accommoda- 
tions at  reasonable  prices.  Surrounded  by  Groves  of 
Pines,  its  advantages  for  invalids  cannot  be  surpassed. 

Every  facility  for  boating,  hunting,  fishing,  and  excur- 
sions to  the  Orange  Groves  and  Mineral  Springs  of  the 
neighborhood. 

All  Steamers  on  the  St.  Johns  stop  at  the  Hotel  land- 
ing, going  and  coming. 

TOGOI. 

This  House  has  been  put  in  co7nfortable 
order,  and  is  ready  to  receive  permanent  and 
transient  visitors. 

First-class  beds  and  a  "  Cuisine','  in  eveiy 
respect  ufzexceptionable. 

JHeals  furnished    at    any   hour   at  short 

notice. 

CHARIiES  THOMAS,  Lessee. 


,•-•••♦•♦*-» 


Estine 


FRONTING    THE 

PLAZA   AND    SEA   \VALL. 


^»»" 


77^^  St.  Augzistme  Hotel,  co7mnanding  a 
view  of  the  bay  and  ocean,  occupies  the  most 
desirable  location  in  St.  A^igustine. 

The  reputation  of  the  house  as  a  first- 
class  family  hotel  luill  be  maintained  by  the 
present  proprietoi^s,  and  no  effort  be  spared  to 
provide  every  co?nfort  to  the  traveler. 


THE 


Maaiiolia  Hotel 


ST.  GEORGE    STREET, 

St.  Augustine,  Florida. 


W.   W.   PALMER,    -    -    -    -    Proprietor. 

{Late  HOUGHTON  iS:  FALJ/FJf.) 

This  favorite  Hoterirs  been  completely  Rotiovatcd,  internally  s-.n  1  e-^- 
t  maliy,  antl  now  presents  unsurimssed  aeeommotlutiDn  <  for  TOURISTS 
and  INVALIDS.  Sinirle  rooms  and  family  apannienle,  cii.  siiile.  The 
aiisiiie  is  in  every  respect  Uiie\'ce]itiiinabli'.  Tlie  Mhuik  liu  stands  np'>n 
the  liigljcsl  jjrouud  iii  tiie  eiiy,  and  couuuauds  a  fiuc  view  of  the  ocea.n 


ORIENTAL  HOUSE, 

St.  AU^STINE,  Fla.     , 

On  the  European  Plan, 

$1  a  day  for  occupying  Room. 


This  Hotel  is  entirely  newly  furnished,  is  First  Class,  and  about  two 
minutes'  walk  from  Central  Pier  and  Post  Office.  Restaurant  for  Ladies  and 
Gentlemen  attached  to  Hotel. 

H.  G.  POXCE  &  Oo.,  Pioprietoi-s. 

T.  A.  PACETTI, 

GRADUATED 

PlAllAClllISlj 

St.  Augustine  Hotel^ 

St.  AUGUSTINE,  Fla. 

MM* 

Dealer  in  Drugs,  Medicines,  Perfumery,  etc.  Speci- 
alty—fine  old  Liquors,  viz.,  Brandy,  Whiskey,  Wines, 
etc. ;  also.  Cigars. 


Florida  Souse, 


?l.  AUillSf  lifE 


TE  Florida  House,  tvhich  all  visitors  to  St.  Au^- 
i^3  ustine  Will  remember,  from  tts  agreeable  location 
*^(^^  and  cheerful  appearance — situated  on  St.  George's 
Street,  has  undergone  most  important  changes  the  past 
summer.  A  wing  has  been  added  on  St.  George's  St.,  con- 
taining seventy  large,  well-ventilated  and  cheerful  rooms, 
and  the  whole  house  has  been  renovated  and  refurnished 
throughout. 

Guests  will  find  the  table  in  every  way  worthy  of  a 
first-class  hotel,  and  the  proprietor  promises  entire  satis- 
faction to  visitors. 

The  house  will  be  heated  throughout  and  gas  and  other 
■^  conveniences  furnished  in  every  room. 

I.  H.  REMER,  Proprietor. 


(^^^^.^3^^ 


®fc  e&mge  8fc^  #fc  M&gmtim 


DEALEES  m 


^/\r  AT  C  U  K  S, 

Je^A^elry,    Clocks,    Plated-W^are, 
Cutlery  and  Spectacles, 


Sea  Shells,  Sea  Beans,  and  Alligator  Teeth, 


HAXDSOMJEL  T  GAM  VED  and  MO  UNTED. 


Corals,    Bird  Phtmcs,  Feathers,   Floivcrs,   Palm 
Work,  Coquina  Ornaments  and  Walking  Canes,  in 
great  variety. 

St.  GEORGE  ST.,  St.  Augustine,  Fla. 


ID.    J".    L  O  F  E  Z, 


DEAXER  IS 


Brags,  Eiikli^s,  eiiirnkMs^ 

Fine  Toilet  Soaps,  Brushes,  Combs,  etc.  Fancy 
Articles,  Perfumery  in  great  variety,  and  pure 
Wines  and  Liquors,  for  Medicinal  Purposes 
only. 

N.  B. — Physicians,  Prescriptions  carefully  Compound- 
ed. Foot  of  Central  Wharf,  opposite  the  St.  Augustine 
Hotel. 

St.  AUGUSTINE,  Fla. 


WHOLESALE    AND    BETAIL    DEALEB,    IN 


9 
FURNITURE,    HARDWARE, 

,^  I  N  E  S  ,    1 1  Q  U  O  R  S , 

Mobiuc0,  §t0urs,  pipes,  %e. 

CHARLOTTE  STREET,  St.  Augustine,   E.  Fla. 


oyA^./^ 


>L 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


R£G'U  LD-JHL 


f70  ID-\H^V 

1  $  ^W" 


Form  L9-42to-8,'49(B5573)444 


'ijICRafia 


^ 


Jf 


3    1158 


00023   8526 


AA    000  695  755 


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